In a deeply unsettling development, 33-year-old Indian national Shahzadi Khan from Uttar Pradesh's Banda district was executed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 15, 2025, following her conviction for the alleged murder of a four-month-old infant under her care.

Shahzadi's journey to the UAE began in November 2021, when she was reportedly lured with promises of employment and medical treatment for childhood burn injuries. Upon arrival, she was allegedly sold into bonded labor and employed as a domestic worker responsible for an infant. Tragically, the child died unexpectedly in February 2022. The grieving parents accused Shahzadi of murder, leading to her arrest and subsequent death sentence.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the Indian Embassy in the UAE provided all possible legal assistance to Shahzadi, including filing mercy petitions and pardon requests. Despite these efforts, the UAE's highest court, the Court of Cassation, upheld her death sentence, leading to her execution as per local laws.

Shahzadi's family, however, contends that she was a victim of human trafficking and received inadequate legal support. Her father, Shabbir Khan, had appealed to Indian authorities, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to intervene and save his daughter's life.

This case has spotlighted the vulnerabilities faced by Indian workers abroad, particularly women lured under false pretenses. It underscores the pressing need for stringent measures to prevent human trafficking and ensure legal protections for Indian nationals employed overseas.