Father of woman on death row in Abu Dhabi moves HC to know her well-being

The father of an Indian woman on death row in Abu Dhabi has approached the Delhi High Court, seeking to know her well-being.

In his petition, which is likely to come up for hearing on Monday, Shabbir Khan -- a resident of Banda in Uttar Pradesh -- said there was "profound uncertainty" with respect to his daughter Shahzadi's condition, and his repeated applications to the Ministry of External Affairs for clarification were "fruitless".

The plea further alleged that Shahzadi was inadequately represented before the local courts in a case pertaining to the alleged murder of her employer's four-month-old child and she was pressured into "confessing", leading to the imposition of death penalty on July 31, 2023.

 

"On February 14, 2025, the petitioner's daughter telephoned him from detention, informing him that she had been relocated within the facility and prior to her potential execution, her final wish was to speak with her parents," the petition said.

"The petitioner, with considerable effort, submitted an application dated February 21, 2025, to the Ministry of External Affairs, seeking to ascertain the current legal status of his daughter and confirm whether she remains alive or has been executed," it added.