FBI Offers $50,000 Reward for Information on Indian National Wanted for 2017 Murders

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has placed a high-stakes reward of up to $50,000 on the table for information leading to the arrest of Nazeer Hameed, an Indian national implicated in the brutal murder of an Indian woman and her six-year-old son in Maple Shade, New Jersey, back in 2017. This announcement comes amid intensified efforts by local authorities in New York, who are actively urging the Government of India to facilitate Hameed’s extradition to the United States.

The Gruesome Crime

On March 23, 2017, Sasikala Narra (38) and her son Anish Narra (6) were found lifeless in their apartment. A subsequent autopsy revealed that both had died from horrific injuries: multiple slash wounds to their necks. Disturbingly, young Anish was nearly decapitated, and the post-mortem findings indicated several defensive wounds on both victims, suggesting a desperate struggle for their lives. “The scene that day was unimaginable,” lamented Maple Shade Police Chief Christopher Fletcher.

Unraveling the Investigation

Nazeer Hameed, who was 38 at the time of the murders, lived in the same apartment complex as the Narras and worked at the same IT company as Hanumanth Narra, the husband and father of the victims. As the investigation progressed, Hameed emerged as a person of interest after it was uncovered that he had been stalking Narra, raising red flags over his potential motives.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

After more than eight years of relentless investigation, in February 2025, Hameed was officially charged with two counts of First Degree Murder, two counts of possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Unfortunately, by this time, Hameed had already left the United States and returned to India, where he has allegedly remained since shortly after the murders.

Extradition Efforts

In an attempt to bring Hameed to justice, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has reached out to Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra, requesting the Indian government’s assistance in extraditing Hameed. Murphy described the crime as “heinous” and expressed New Jersey’s readiness to collaborate with various Indian ministries to ensure extradition adheres to both Indian law and existing bilateral treaties. In a letter to the Ambassador, Governor Murphy conveyed his “profound gratitude” for the Indian government’s attention to the case.

Building the Case

Despite initial delays due to the search for additional evidence, authorities eventually secured a DNA sample that connected Hameed to the crime scene. A key breakthrough came from a droplet of blood collected from the scene that did not belong to either victim but matched Hameed’s genetic profile. However, multiple attempts to collect a direct DNA sample from Hameed in India were met with refusal, complicating extradition efforts.

In October 2020, the Central Bureau of Investigation in India informed U.S. officials that Hameed had declined to provide a DNA sample. Following up on this, in March 2023, the U.S. Justice Department filed a Mutual Legal Assistance request for a court order to collect the DNA, which was acknowledged by Indian authorities but ultimately went unfulfilled.

Commitment to Justice

Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw, along with investigators who have dedicated years to this case, has emphasized the importance of justice for Sasikala and Anish. “These crimes were an outrage to our community and to all the investigators who worked on this case,” Fletcher remarked, highlighting the emotional weight carried by the agency.

Admitting that detectives faced criticism over perceived insensitivity towards the victims’ Indian heritage, Fletcher reassured that their commitment to obtaining justice has never waned. “Two photos hang prominently in our detective bureau,” he noted, stating these images constantly serve to remind investigators of their responsibility to the victims.

International Cooperation in Law Enforcement

As the investigation continues to unfold, U.S. authorities are urging both the American and Indian governments to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that Hameed is extradited. Prosecutor Bradshaw called for seamless cooperation between the two nations, insisting that “no border, no distance, and no delay should stand in the way of justice.”

Recognition and Support

The Prosecutor’s Office expressed their gratitude to the Indian Cultural Centre of Southern New Jersey for their ongoing support throughout the investigation. Board of Trustees member Jayesh Parikh commended law enforcement agencies for their long-standing dedication and perseverance, remarking on the numerous challenges they faced during the pursuit of justice.

This ongoing case serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role international cooperation plays in ensuring that justice prevails, transcending borders in the pursuit of accountability for heinous crimes.