The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which assumed control of the case from local police in 2017, recently informed a Delhi court that it had exhausted all leads and could not solve the case. As a result, the court decided to close its investigation, expressing hope that Najeeb would be found soon. However, this conclusion left Ahmed's family devastated, prompting them to announce plans to appeal the decision. Fatima Nafees, Najeeb’s mother, has been vocal about the perceived shortcomings in the investigation, questioning the effectiveness of India's leading investigative agency.
Originally from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, Najeeb was the eldest of four children from a humble background. His family had made numerous sacrifices for him to attend university, and his mother recalls an emotional conversation where Najeeb insisted on staying in the hostel despite her concerns for his safety.
On the night of October 14, 2016, Najeeb suffered injuries from an altercation with ABVP students and was reportedly denied treatment at a hospital due to a lack of a police report. After refusing to file a complaint, he returned to campus, where he disappeared the following day, leaving behind all personal belongings.
In the ensuing days, widespread student protests erupted on campus calling for justice and accountability from the authorities who were accused of inaction. Following an official petition from Nafees in November 2016, the Delhi High Court ordered extensive searches and later handed the case to the CBI in 2017, but investigation results remained elusive even after extensive witness questioning and searches.
The case, which has dragged on over the years, faced renewed scrutiny in 2020 when Nafees contested the closure, alleging the CBI failed to adequately investigate the ABVP members involved in the initial scuffle. Despite the agency's reports of thoroughness, the failure to hold any students accountable has raised questions in the eyes of family and advocates. Notably, Nafees has suggested that Najeeb's religion played a role in the level of seriousness attributed to the investigation.
Recently, the court stated that while there were verbal threats reported by witnesses, there was no substantial evidence linking the ABVP members to Najeeb's disappearance. The judge acknowledged the hostile environment in JNU, but maintained that the investigation had pursued all credible avenues. Although the investigation may now be concluded, the door remains open for reopening the case if credible new information arises.
For Fatima Nafees and her family, hope remains dim but persistent. Each year, on the anniversary of her son's disappearance, she leads a candlelight vigil at JNU, a testament to her enduring fight for justice. Najeeb's father shared his sadness, contemplating the changes to their home in case he returns and no longer recognizes it. This unresolved mystery beckons ongoing reflections on missing persons in India and raises pressing questions about accountability, justice, and the shared humanity that transcends boundaries.
Originally from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, Najeeb was the eldest of four children from a humble background. His family had made numerous sacrifices for him to attend university, and his mother recalls an emotional conversation where Najeeb insisted on staying in the hostel despite her concerns for his safety.
On the night of October 14, 2016, Najeeb suffered injuries from an altercation with ABVP students and was reportedly denied treatment at a hospital due to a lack of a police report. After refusing to file a complaint, he returned to campus, where he disappeared the following day, leaving behind all personal belongings.
In the ensuing days, widespread student protests erupted on campus calling for justice and accountability from the authorities who were accused of inaction. Following an official petition from Nafees in November 2016, the Delhi High Court ordered extensive searches and later handed the case to the CBI in 2017, but investigation results remained elusive even after extensive witness questioning and searches.
The case, which has dragged on over the years, faced renewed scrutiny in 2020 when Nafees contested the closure, alleging the CBI failed to adequately investigate the ABVP members involved in the initial scuffle. Despite the agency's reports of thoroughness, the failure to hold any students accountable has raised questions in the eyes of family and advocates. Notably, Nafees has suggested that Najeeb's religion played a role in the level of seriousness attributed to the investigation.
Recently, the court stated that while there were verbal threats reported by witnesses, there was no substantial evidence linking the ABVP members to Najeeb's disappearance. The judge acknowledged the hostile environment in JNU, but maintained that the investigation had pursued all credible avenues. Although the investigation may now be concluded, the door remains open for reopening the case if credible new information arises.
For Fatima Nafees and her family, hope remains dim but persistent. Each year, on the anniversary of her son's disappearance, she leads a candlelight vigil at JNU, a testament to her enduring fight for justice. Najeeb's father shared his sadness, contemplating the changes to their home in case he returns and no longer recognizes it. This unresolved mystery beckons ongoing reflections on missing persons in India and raises pressing questions about accountability, justice, and the shared humanity that transcends boundaries.
