Shabnam Execution Case: Shabnam, who is counting his last days in jail, has no option left?

- Shabnam became obsessed with the fear that a death sentence could be issued at any time

Amroha, Ta. Friday, February 19, 2021

Shabnam, who killed seven members of his family along with his lover, has sent a mercy petition to Governor Anandiben Patel. Shabnam hopes to find forgiveness this time around. Shabnam had earlier sent a mercy petition to the Supreme Court and the President which was rejected. However, Shabnam and Salim, convicted of this heinous massacre, still have some options available.

The Amroha district court had sentenced both of them to death in 2010 in the case. The High Court later sentenced him to death. When the case reached the Supreme Court in 2015, the decision of the lower court was upheld. On August 11, 2016, President Pranab Mukherjee also rejected Shabnam's mercy petition.

Application to the President through the Governor

In 2019, the Supreme Court dismissed Shabnam's appeal for execution. Shabnam is currently lodged in Rampur Jail awaiting his execution. Shabnam has sent his application to the President through the Governor and his son has appealed to the President for his mother. Shabnam's son is a minor and goes to jail to meet his mother.

Option to send application to Governor

Anyone, a foreign national, after receiving the death sentence from the Supreme Court, can send a mercy petition to the President's Office or the Ministry of Home Affairs for the offender. Apart from that a mercy petition can also be sent to the Governor of the concerned state. The governor sends mercy petitions to the home ministry.

Azad was India's first woman to be hanged

After these two appeals, Shabnam is now hoping to get some relief from the President. If the President upholds the decision in the review petition, Azad will become the first woman in India to be sentenced to death. It is learned that preparations for the execution of Shabnam have been completed at the Mathura Women's Jail but the jail administration has said that it has no such information at present.

Shabnam began to remain silent in jail

Shabnam's death warrant could be issued at any time and he could be hanged at any time. According to the Rampur jail superintendent, there is a feeling that Shabnam could be sentenced to death at any time. Nowadays she is lost in prison and does not talk to anyone. Earlier she used to teach sewing to the women of the jail and their children.