The young woman is accused of causing the death of a four-month-old baby. The girl from UP has been held in an Abu Dhabi prison for several months now, facing the grim prospect of execution. We're talking about Shahzadi from Banda district. It was last Friday night that she called her parents, leaving them stunned with her words. It seemed akin to a final goodbye.
Was it Shahzadi's Final Call from Abu Dhabi Jail?
Has Shahzadi been executed in Abu Dhabi's jail on the morning of February 15 at 5:30 am? The news surfaced as Shahzadi managed to make a final call to her parents in Banda at midnight, declaring her time may be short. At the time of her call, it was 9:30 pm in Abu Dhabi.
Only 10 Minutes to Speak with Family
According to Shahzadi, the jail captain enquired about her last wishes. She requested a final phone conversation with her parents. Granted only 10 minutes, she revealed she'd been moved to another room before the scheduled execution.
A Plea to Withdraw the Complaint Against Uzair
Throughout the conversation, Shahzadi's parents wept, while she instructed them to drop the complaint against Uzair in UP. The family had lodged a case against Uzair, accusing him of deceiving Shahzadi into going to Abu Dhabi.
Source: aajtak
Mentions of Faiz During the Call
In her last call, Shahzadi recounted being informed by the jail captain about her execution. She said that Faiz might be present during the execution, referencing the father of the child whose murder led to her sentencing. As Shahzadi's conversation with her parents continued, an Arabic-speaking official intervened, possibly indicating that the call was ending. A beep followed, and then the call was disconnected.
Was Shahzadi Executed?
Shahzadi's father recorded their last conversation and later shared it with the media. The phone call occurred on Friday night, February 14, indicating her execution was scheduled for the morning of February 15. So, was Shahzadi executed or was it postponed? To unearth the truth, our 'Aaj Tak' team reached out to sources from India to Abu Dhabi.
Call from Abu Dhabi Court to Faiz
To comprehend the complete tale, we discovered that Faiz received a call from the Abu Dhabi court on January 25. Faiz was the father of the four-month-old baby whose murder was pinned on Shahzadi. The caller sent him a location, requesting his presence there. Faiz arrived as scheduled.
No Further Calls to Faiz
For the first time, Abu Dhabi's higher authority informed Faiz of Shahzadi's scheduled execution at 5:30 am on February 15. They invited him to witness the execution, confirming another call beforehand. But Faiz couldn’t bear the thought of witnessing a death and chose not to attend. After January 25, Faiz received no additional calls.
Source: aajtak
Official Confirmation of Execution Required
Saturday and Sunday are non-working days in Abu Dhabi. By February 17, Faiz had not received any official news from Abu Dhabi authorities about Shahzadi's execution. Legally, it is mandatory to inform Faiz and his family. If the execution occurred, information might follow after the weekend.
Shahzadi Not Yet Executed - Foreign Ministry
Our investigation with the Ministry of External Affairs indicated that UAE authorities informed the Indian embassy that Shahzadi was not yet executed. They've said that Shahzadi filed a review petition, receiving continuous attention from the Indian embassy.
Qisas or Pardon?
Sources mention that during Shahzadi's trial, Faiz once asked if her sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment. The court cited delays. Faiz’s family was repeatedly queried about choosing between 'Qisas' (retribution) or 'pardon'. In Arabic, Qisas means revenge, while pardon entails forgiveness or leniency.
Court to Decide Shahzadi’s Fate
Faiz's family was never inclined towards revenge but, in Abu Dhabi culture, asking for a pardon could mean commuting Shahzadi's sentence. However, Faiz's family did not seek to grant freedom without punishment, leaving her fate for the courts to decide.
Source: aajtak
Accused of Murdering a Four-Month-Old
Abu Dhabi's Al-Wathba prison—a name translating to 'leap'. Since February 10, 2023, Shahzadi had been confined in Al Wathba, awaiting execution. She faced accusations of killing an Indian family's baby in Abu Dhabi. Shahzadi, aged 29 from Banda, UP, arrived in Abu Dhabi on December 19, 2021, under two different narratives.
The Tragic Tale of Shahzadi
Shahzadi's family's account begins at age 8 when boiling water scarred her face. Courageous, she pursued education, helped the needy through Roti Bank NGO.
Shahzadi's Plastic Surgery Dream
Her dream was to earn enough for corrective surgery. Through social media, she encountered Uzair from Agra, promising a future despite her scarred face. Convincing her to Abu Dhabi under the guise of medical treatment, she took jewelry and $900 to the city. Uzair sent her to live with his relatives.
Deceived into Domestic Servitude
Uzair’s aunt, Nazia, a professor at Al Nahayan University, needed a nanny after childbirth. Striking a deal with Uzair, Nazia employed Shahzadi for domestic tasks. Educated, Shahzadi soon grasped her reality, desiring independence, dreaming of surgery funding with self-earned money.
Source: aajtak
Tragic Death Post Vaccination
Repeatedly seeking permission to work outside, a tragic incident shook Nazia's household. Post-vaccination on December 6, 2022, her baby tragically passed away. With the child’s demise, Shahzadi insisted on returning to India. Her passport, held by Nazia, delayed her return plans.
Shahzadi’s Arrest
Nazia and Faiz filed a police complaint blaming Shahzadi for their child's death. Consequently, she faced arrest and trial, sentenced to capital punishment by Abu Dhabi’s lower and highest courts.
Video Call Interview with Shahzadi
Nazia and Faiz narrate a counter-story. They needed a nanny and sought help from Uzair, a relative in Agra. He suggested Shahzadi, and they interviewed her via video, explaining duties and salary. Shahzadi agreed and traveled to Abu Dhabi.
Nazia Unable to Conceive Again
According to Nazia and Uzair, Shahzadi confessed to police and court about smothering the child in anger. The lone child's demise left lasting grief for the family, with Nazia unable to conceive again.
Both families await the truth’s revelation: Has Shahzadi’s execution occurred as planned on February 15?
