Two Indian nationals, Shahjadi Khan and Muhammed Rinash Arangilottu, who were recently executed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been buried with their family members present, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed.
Executions and Burials
1. Shahjadi Khan
- Age: 33
- Origin: Banda, Uttar Pradesh
- Case: Convicted for allegedly murdering her employer’s four-month-old child.
- Execution Date: February 15, 2025
- Burial: Took place in Abu Dhabi’s Baniyas cemetery, with authorized family representatives present during the funeral prayers and interment.
2. Muhammed Rinash Arangilottu
- Origin: Kannur, Kerala
- Case: Sentenced to death for killing a UAE national.
- Execution Date: Late February 2025 (exact date undisclosed).
- Burial: Conducted in the UAE, where his family attended the last rites.
Indian Government's Role and Legal Assistance
The Indian Embassy in the UAE provided legal and consular support throughout the trials, including:
Submitting mercy petitions and pardon requests to the UAE authorities.
Ensuring family members could attend the burial and conduct last rites.
Providing consular assistance during the entire legal process.
Despite all diplomatic efforts, the appeals for clemency were unsuccessful, and both individuals were executed under UAE’s strict legal system.
Execution Laws in the UAE
The UAE enforces capital punishment for serious offenses, including murder, drug trafficking, and terrorism-related crimes. The death penalty is rare but strictly enforced, with sentences typically carried out by firing squad after extensive legal procedures and final reviews.
The Indian government has reiterated the importance of legal awareness for its citizens living and working abroad to ensure compliance with local laws.