Shabnam, who axed kin to death for lover, likely to be first woman hanged in independent India

Rampur (UP): Uttar Pradesh’s Shabnam, who was convicted along with her lover Salim of murdering her family in 2008, is likely to become the first woman to be hanged in Independent India. Shabnam’s mercy petition has already been rejected by the Governor and President and is likely to be hanged soon after a death warrant is issued. Shabnam is presently lodged in Rampur district jail while Salim is lodged in Agra prison.

Speaking to India Today, jailor Rakesh Kumar Verma said the prision administration has started preparations for the hanging. “Her mercy petition has been rejected by the President. We have requested Amroha administration to obtain her death warrant. As soon as it is received, we will transfer her to Mathura district jail as it has the provision for hanging of women,” Verma said.

Mathura Jail is the only prison in the country that has a female execution room.

Shabnam’s uncle Sattar Ali said she should be hanged as she had brutally murdered seven members of her own family. Advocate Arshad Ansari said there were previous instances when women convicts sentenced to death were given life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Pawan Jallad of Meerut, who had executed the convicts in Nirbhaya’s gangrape-murder case, has visited Mathura jail and suggested some modifications. “She killed her family along with her lover, so they should be hanged. I will do the trial, check the rope, check the board whether it’s fully prepared,” he said.

What is the Amroha murder case?

Shabnam and Salim were found guilty of killing her parents, two brothers and their wives and her 10-month-old nephew in Bawankhedi village of Amroha district on April 14, 2008 since her family was opposed to their relationship.

Shabnam, a double MA (in English and Geography) who taught at the village primary school, initially pretended that her house was attacked by unidentified assailants. However, Shabnam later confessed that she had abetted Salim in the crime and made her family members drink milk laced with sedatives and thereafter throttled her little nephew.

Salim, a Class VI dropout, worked at a wood sawing unit outside Shabnam’s home. The case was heard in Amroha court for over two years. In 2015, the Supreme Court had upheld the Allahabad High Court judgment that had awarded death penalty to them. (Agency)