Shabnam now approaches UP Governor for mercy

Even as her mercy petition has been rejected by the President Ram Nath Kovid, Shabnam Ali has filed a fresh mercy petition before the Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel. Two Counsels of Shabnam met her on Thursday in Rampur Jail on Thursday. They held talks with her and suggested filing a fresh mercy petition. Initially, Shabnam had refused but her Counsels convinced her that she should file an appeal to the UP Governor, who is also a female and may look at it sympathetically.

It took Counsels three hours to convince her. Finally, she signed the application for mercy petition addressed to the UP Governor Anandiben Patel for pardon.

The Rampur Jail Superintendent PD Salonia said that the two counsels had come to meet Shabnam. They have handed over a fresh mercy petition which is being sent to the honorable Governor Anandiben Patel.

Article 161 of the Constitution of India empowers the Governors of States to grant pardon. Earlier, her 12-year-old son Taj had appealed to the President to forgive and pardon her. Shabnam Ali, 38, was convicted of killing seven members of her family – her mother, father, two brothers, sister-in-law, cousin and 10-month-old nephew — by serving them milk laced with sedatives and then slitting their throats.

Shabnam's family members were against her relationship with Saleem. Both came from different socio-economic backgrounds and caste.