The fate of Divyang Shahzadi, a resident of Banda, Uttar Pradesh, who is currently on death row in the UAE, remains uncertain as the final decision on her sentence is deferred for another day. The suspense will continue until Sunday when the Supreme Court of Dubai will hear the mercy petition filed by Shahzadi's father. The hearing will determine whether the death penalty will be upheld or if she will be granted a reprieve.
Shahzadi's parents urged PM Modi to intervene
Shahzadi, who is currently imprisoned in Abu Dhabi, was sentenced to death for her alleged involvement in the death of a four-year-old child. The UAE court had initially scheduled her execution for September 21, sending her family into a state of despair. Desperate to save their daughter, Shahzadi's elderly parents traveled to Dubai, pleading with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other authorities for intervention. In response, the Indian government, through the family, has officially submitted a mercy petition to the UAE authorities.
The Dark Story of Deception and Trafficking
Shahzadi’s plight began in Goira village, Banda, where she worked with a social organization called Roti Bank. Her troubles started when she connected with a man named Uzair from Agra through Facebook.
Uzair, later identified as a human trafficker, manipulated her into a trap disguised as a romantic relationship. When Shahzadi suffered burns on her face, Uzair called her to Agra under the pretext of helping her get medical treatment.
Instead, she was sold to a couple named Faiz and Nadia, who lived in Dubai. Once in Dubai, Shahzadi was forced to work as a domestic maid while enduring physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Faiz and his wife.
Child's Death and Shahzadi’s Arrest
Tragedy struck when Faiz and Nadia’s four-year-old son died due to illness. The grieving couple blamed Shahzadi for the child's death and had her arrested. Four months ago, the Dubai court convicted her of murder and sentenced her to death.
Devastated by the ruling, Shahzadi’s family took legal action against Uzair, Faiz, and Nadia, filing complaints in the Banda Chief Judicial Magistrate’s (CJM) court. They simultaneously launched a campaign, appealing to Prime Minister Modi and other officials to intervene in the case.
The Mercy Petition and Hopes for a Reprieve
According to Shahzadi’s family, they have been allowed to communicate with her during her imprisonment. Shahzadi reportedly informed her father that the execution date had been set for September 21, but after the submission of the mercy petition, the date was deferred to September 29. This last-minute appeal to the UAE Supreme Court has provided a glimmer of hope for Shahzadi and her family.
In a phone conversation with her father, Shahzadi expressed her desire to expose the truth of her suffering and the horrors she endured at the hands of her captors once she is released. Her family, together with social workers and political leaders, have intensified efforts to garner support, urging the Indian government to ensure her safe return.
Awaiting the Court's Decision
The Indian government has played a key role in filing the joint mercy petition alongside Shahzadi's family. As the court prepares to hear the case on Sunday, the world will finally learn whether Shahzadi's life will be spared, or if she will face the death penalty for a crime she claims she did not commit. The outcome of the hearing will determine the future of Shahzadi and bring either relief or heartbreak to her family, who are holding on to hope for her release.
The hearing will undoubtedly be a turning point, not just in Shahzadi's life, but also in the broader struggle for justice for victims of human trafficking and wrongful accusations abroad.
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