Shabnam Ali, the name is so much in the news because she is the first female prisoner who will be hanged for the first time in the history of independent India. For her execution, the Mathura jail administration has started preparations. Notably, Shabnam Ali, along with her lover Salim, killed seven family members with an axe in 2008. Shabnam was sentenced to death after the conviction. The crime was so heinous that even the President has also upheld the death sentence of Shabnam after the review petition was dismissed from the Supreme Court. In such a situation, it is now final to execute her.
Who is Shabnam Ali?
Shabnam Ali is a resident of Bawankhedi village in the Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh. Shabnam’s father Shaukat Ali was a teacher. Shabnam was his only daughter and she taught children in school. Later, Shabnam fell in love with a boy Salim. The family of Shabnam, however, did not approve of this relationship at all. Shabnam had often quarreled with family members due to these differences. By the time, Shabnam became pregnant with Salim’s child. She was two months pregnant and thought that if the family came to know about it, they would not tolerate it.
The horrific Familicide
With the fear of disclosure of her pregnancy, she, along with lover Salim, decided to kill the family and hatched a creepy conspiracy. On the night of 14/15 April 2008, Shabnam adulterated food with sleeping drugs and when everyone fell asleep unconsciously, Shabnam brutally killed seven family members including her parents and a 10-month-old innocent nephew with an axe. This incident shook the entire nation.
The President also rejected the mercy petition
Last year, Shabnam filed a review petition in the Supreme Court for the execution. This reconsideration petition was filed by Salim and Shabnam’s lawyer Anand Grover. Supreme Court upheld the verdict of the lower court. Shabnam-Salim then sent a mercy petition to the President, but her petition got rejected even by Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Also read: Justice served to Nirbhaya, Four Convicts Finally Hanged till Death
Shabnam will be the first female prisoner to be hanged
For context, the hanging house in Mathura Jail is the only hanging house in the country where a woman can be hanged. As of now, Shabnam is in Bareilly jail, whereas Salim is currently lodged in Agra jail.
Let us tell you that in Mathura Jail, a female hanging house was built 150 years ago to hang the women. But no woman has been hanged here since independence. According to the Senior Jail Superintendent, the date of execution is not fixed yet, but we have started the preparation. Order for rope has been placed. Shabnam-Salim will be hanged as soon as the death warrant is issued. However, where Salim will be hanged is not yet decided.