Death-row convict returns to Amroha village under police escort, claims innocence and says he writes poetry in prison; to surrender on Oct 28
Bijnor: After spending over 18 years in prison, death-row convict Salim, convicted along with Shabnam of murdering seven members of her family in the 2008 Bawankhedi massacre, returned to his village in Amroha district late Wednesday night on seven-day parole to attend his younger sister’s wedding. He was required to return to prison on Oct 28. The Bawankhedi massacre took place on the night of April 14-15, 2008, when seven members of Shabnam’s family — her parents, two brothers, sister-in-law, cousin and 10-month-old nephew — were murdered. An Amroha sessions court sentenced both to death in July 2010. Allahabad high court upheld the verdict in April 2013, followed by Supreme Court in May 2015.
Hasanpur Kotwali inspector Satyendra Sirohi confirmed his temporary release and said he would have to comply with all parole conditions.
He also told police that he regularly wrote poetry and couplets in prison and claimed that his good conduct had helped him secure parole. Police brought him from Naini Central Jail in Prayagraj under tight security. Police took Salim to Hasanpur Kotwali to complete parole-related formalities before escorting him to Bawankhedi. During questioning, Salim maintained that he was innocent. When officers asked him about his mobile phone’s location at the time of the murders and his telephone conversations with Shabnam, he reportedly remained silent. Six were killed with a sharp-edged weapon, while the infant was strangled. Salim and Shabnam were convicted of carrying out the murders.
The prosecution alleged that the victims were given sedatives before the killings.
Salim’s younger sister, Ayesha, was scheduled to get married on Oct 25 near Kaneta Adda in Hasanpur.
His father, Rauf, said Salim shared a close bond with Ayesha, the youngest in the family, and had long wanted to attend her wedding and see her off after the ceremony. Salim questioned whether he had done anything wrong by seeking parole and said he had returned only to attend his sister’s wedding and participate in family rituals. Officers warned him against unlawful activities and provocative statements during his temporary release.