NEW DELHI, Aug. 11 (AP)— Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has appealed to 23 heads of government around the world to use their influence to save Sheik Mujib.

In messages sent yesterday and made public today, she said India feared the trial of Sheik Mujib “will be used only as a cover to execute him.”

President Nixon, Secretary General Thant of the United Nations, Premier Aleksei N. Kosygin, Prime Minister, President Tito and Chancellor Willy Brandt were among those to whom the appeal was sent.