FBI Requests Extradition of Indian Suspect in 2017 New Jersey Double Murder

Post by : Mina Rahman

U.S. officials have escalated their efforts to extradite Nazeer Hameed, a 38-year-old Indian national accused of the horrific double murder of Sasikala Narra and her six-year-old son, Anish, in New Jersey back in 2017. The FBI has announced a reward of up to USD 50,000 for any information leading to his capture or conviction, with his details now featured on the agency's Most Wanted list.

Hameed faces two counts of first-degree murder along with several weapons-related charges. Reports indicate that he fled to India about six months post the murders and has remained there, prompting the U.S. to repeatedly pursue extradition.

Both victims were discovered deceased in their Maple Shade residence on March 23, 2017. Autopsy findings revealed numerous deep slash wounds; notably, the child was nearly decapitated. Both victims displayed indications of having fought back, a disturbing scene described by first responders as ‘unimaginable.’

Per the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, Hameed lived within the same apartment complex as the victims and was employed at the same IT firm as Sasikala's spouse, Hanumanth Narra. Investigators later determined that Hameed had reportedly been stalking Hanumanth, which positioned him as a main suspect.

The ongoing case, spanning over eight years, has faced various challenges, particularly in acquiring DNA evidence and advancing the extradition efforts. The BCPO noted that a minute droplet of blood at the crime scene—which did not belong to either victim—was found to match Hameed’s DNA type and ancestry. However, attempts to collect formal DNA evidence from him through Indian authorities have yielded limited outcomes, and he declined to provide a sample to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2020.

In 2023, a Mutual Legal Assistance request forwarded to India’s Ministry of Home Affairs concluded without resolution. Investigators eventually obtained Hameed's DNA from his workplace, where a laptop keyboard produced a matching profile corresponding to evidence gathered at the scene.

Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey stated that he has reached out to Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra, urging Indian officials to facilitate the extradition. Murphy highlighted the necessity of a collaborative effort with India, asserting that the ‘atrocious act shocked the entire state,’ and that justice must be pursued without delay.

Local authorities have reaffirmed their unwavering dedication to the victims despite ongoing obstacles. Photographs of Sasikala and Anish are maintained in the detective bureau as a solemn reminder to seek closure for the case.

Prosecutors claim that they now possess substantial physical evidence linking Hameed to the crimes and maintain that no international border should shield a suspect from facing justice. They are imploring both nations to hasten the extradition process.

Support from New Jersey’s Indian community, including the Indian Cultural Centre of Southern New Jersey, has been evident over the years, with a shared hope for justice for the victims’ family.