FBI Offers $50,000 Reward for Indian National Wanted in 2017 Double Murder

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has placed a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Nazeer Hameed, a 38-year-old Indian national charged with the first-degree murder of Sasikala Narra, 38, and her six-year-old son Anish in Maple Shade, New Jersey, on March 23, 2017. Both victims were found with their throats slashed in their apartment; the child was nearly decapitated and bore defensive wounds indicating a desperate struggle for life. Authorities allege Hameed, who lived in the same complex and worked at the same IT firm as the victims’ husband and father, fled to India six months after the killings and remains there.

After an eight-year investigation, a single droplet of blood recovered from the crime scene proved decisive. Forensic analysis confirmed the blood did not belong to either victim and matched DNA later obtained from Hameed’s work laptop keyboard. Despite repeated requests through diplomatic channels—including a 2023 Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty plea—Indian authorities never compelled Hameed to provide a voluntary DNA sample, forcing U.S. investigators to secure the evidence through his former employer.

In February 2025, Hameed was formally indicted on two counts of first-degree murder and weapons charges. The FBI immediately added him to its Most Wanted list and announced the substantial reward. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has personally intervened, contacting India’s Ambassador to the United States and pledging full cooperation with India’s Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs to expedite extradition under the existing bilateral treaty.

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Prosecutors and police officials emphasized that no motive has been officially confirmed, though earlier probes identified Hameed as having stalked the victims’ husband. Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw declared that “no border and no delay should stand in the way of justice,” while Maple Shade Police Chief Christopher Fletcher described the crime scene as unimaginable carnage that has haunted investigators for nearly a decade.

With diplomatic pressure mounting and a $50,000 bounty now in place, U.S. authorities are urging swift action from India to return Nazeer Hameed to face trial for what officials describe as one of the most shocking double homicides in New Jersey history.

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