Indian woman on death row for infant's homicide in UAE executed: MEA to Delhi High Court

The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed the Delhi High Court that an Indian woman who was sentenced to death in Abu Dhabi for the death of an infant, was executed on February 15..Justice Sachin Datta recorded the submissions of the MEA, which was represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma..The ASG submitted that the woman's last rites will take place on March 5, for which the Ministry will render all assistance.“This is unfortunate,” the Court stated before disposing of the petition. .The petition was filed by the father of the woman seeking directions to the MEA to disclose the status of the legal proceedings at Abu Dhabi and the well-being of his daughter..In 2022, a four-month old infant under the care of the petitioner’s daughter had passed away. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, the woman was hired as a caregiver by an Indian family living in Abu Dhabi.The parents of the infant blamed her for the death on the basis of a video-recording in which the caregiver has allegedly confessed to the homicide.The woman was arrested in 2023. Within a few months of her arrest, the Court of First Instance in Abu Dhabi found her guilty and sentenced her to death for homicide of the infant. The appellate court also upheld the sentence..The petitioner claimed that the counsel provided by the Indian Embassy pressurised his daughter to confess. He stated that he had emailed the MEA and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) requesting their assistance in filing a mercy petition in Abu Dhabi through the Indian Embassy, but received none.On February 14, 2025, the petitioner received a call from his daughter that she would get executed.He again approached the MEA and then the High Court seeking directions to MEA, asking about the well-being of his daughter. .Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.