FBI posts $50,000 reward for Indian murder suspect
The FBI is offering $50,000 for an Indian national accused of killing a woman and her child in New Jersey.
FBI Offers $50,000 Reward for Indian National Wanted in 2017 New Jersey Double Murder
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a renewed call for public help, offering a reward of up to USD 50,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of an Indian national accused in one of New Jersey’s most unsettling murder cases in recent years. The appeal marks a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to bring 38-year-old Nazeer Hameed back from India, where authorities say he has remained since shortly after the killings.
Hameed is wanted for the brutal 2017 murders of Sasikala Narra, 38, and her six-year-old son, Anish, who were found stabbed to death inside their Maple Shade apartment. The case horrified the local community and sparked a years-long investigation that continued to intensify even after the suspect had left the country.
Charges and the Investigation
Earlier this year, Burlington County prosecutors charged Hameed with two counts of First Degree Murder, along with weapons-related charges, accusing him of carrying out the attack with intent and unlawfully possessing the weapon used in the killings.
U.S. officials say Hameed returned to India just six months after the murders and has remained there ever since, despite repeated attempts by investigators to track him down. For years he was described as a “person of interest.” But as evidence mounted, prosecutors became increasingly certain of his alleged involvement.
According to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO), Hameed emerged as a key suspect after investigators learned that he had been stalking the victims’ husband and father, Hanumanth Narra. While officials have not conclusively established a motive, the discovery of this pattern of behaviour heightened suspicions and intensified their focus on Hameed.
A state warrant for his arrest was issued soon after, and his profile is now prominently featured on the FBI’s Most Wanted website, where agents are appealing to anyone — including those overseas — who might have information on his whereabouts.
Push for Extradition
As the FBI escalated its efforts, state leaders also began pressuring Indian authorities to cooperate in returning Hameed to the United States to face trial. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy revealed that he recently called and wrote to India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Kwatra, formally asking for assistance in facilitating extradition.
Department of Justice, the State Department, and the FBI to advance the extradition process. He emphasised that both countries have a bilateral treaty that lays out a clear legal framework for returning suspects to face prosecution.
U.S. officials echoed his message, saying the authority for seeking extradition rests jointly with the Departments of Justice and State. They urged India to treat the case as a priority.
“No border, no distance, and no delay should stand in the way of justice.”
Community Support and Lingering Grief
The long wait for justice has been painful for the Indian American community in New Jersey, particularly those who knew Sasikala and Anish or followed the case closely since 2017. Community organizations have been instrumental in maintaining pressure on authorities and supporting the family.
The Indian Cultural Centre of Southern New Jersey, which has been involved since the early stages of the investigation, expressed gratitude for the persistence of law enforcement.
For many, the renewed FBI attention — and the substantial reward — offer a glimmer of hope that the case may finally move forward. Yet frustration remains, as the suspect continues to live abroad while the victims’ family waits for closure.
With the FBI, state officials, and community leaders now aligned in their calls for action, pressure on both governments is likely to intensify. Whether that will be enough to bring Hameed back to the U.S. remains uncertain. But for the families and communities still mourning Sasikala and young Anish, even a small step toward justice is meaningful.