Send us suspect in ‘heinous’ murder of 6-year-old and his mom, Gov. Murphy tells India

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wants India to help the U.S. return a Burlington County notorious criminal. Young mother Sasikala Narra and her 6-year-old son Anish were murdered in a Maple Shade apartment in 2017. It tormented detectives for 8 years.

Governor Murphy reminded Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra that everyone must work together to extradite 38-year-old Nazeer Hameed to the US. Murphy’s letter labeled the murders a “heinous crime” that shocked New Jersey and noted that investigators spent years searching for clues.

After the murders, Indian-born Hameed departed the US and may be in India. He was charged early this year after a lengthy forensic, worldwide communication, and legal investigation.

A non-Narra family blood drop in the flat led to the suspect. Over five years, scientists narrowed DNA matches. Despite Hameed’s refusal to provide a DNA sample, his company’s laptop matched the scene droplet.

Despite residing in the same apartment complex and working with Hanumantha Narra, Sasikala’s husband, officials said Hameed didn’t know her or her child. Authorities said Hameed pursued Hanumantha for years before the murders, but they didn’t explain why.

Crime scene violence was reported. Hanumantha found his wife and son stabbed to death when he came from work on March 23, 2017. Officials say the 6-year-old was nearly beheaded and both victims suffered severe neck wounds. Police and Indian community members supported the long case due to the awful incident.

On Tuesday, the FBI offered $50,000 for Hameed’s capture and conviction. Although 29 at the time, the agency maintained Hameed’s innocence until proven guilty. Governor Murphy wrote that the goal is a fair and open legal process based on U.S. and Indian judicial values.

Since 1997, both countries have Extradition Agreements that allow them to extradite offenders with one-year sentences. Diplomatic procedures are needed for extradition. In emergencies, interim arrests may be ordered.

Murphy’s plea shows how serious the situation is and how determined New Jersey officials are to get justice for Sasikala and her son, who were killed eight years ago but remain remembered by the community and investigators.

Sources:
U.S. federal and New Jersey state officials’ statements
Law enforcement briefings
FBI public announcements
Diplomatic correspondence summaries