Husband, brother-in-law plotted woman’s murder, suspect Ahmedabad Crime Branch in 34-year-old case

In a significant breakthrough in a suspected cold-case homicide, Ahmedabad’s Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) believes it may have uncovered the truth behind the disappearance of a woman more than three decades ago after human skeletal remains were exhumed from a house in Vatva’s Qutubnagar, in a case investigators suspect dates back to 1992.

However, officials clarified that while the investigation has yielded substantial leads, the case cannot be treated as conclusively solved until forensic and DNA analysis confirms the identity of the deceased and legal proceedings are initiated.

Crime Branch officials said they received specific intelligence indicating that a woman had allegedly been murdered and buried inside a residential property in Qutubnagar. Acting on the information, investigators carried out an excavation at the premises and recovered human skeletal remains from nearly 20 feet below the surface.

The remains are suspected to be those of Farzana alias Shabnam, a woman originally from Dholka who is believed to have gone missing in 1992.

According to investigators, Farzana was around 17 years old when she was married a year before she went missing. Police suspect that she later separated from her husband and returned to her parental home before allegedly becoming involved in sex work. It was during this period, police said, that she came into contact with Shamshuddin, who allegedly developed a relationship with her and later got married. 

Investigators suspect Shamshuddin became frustrated when Farzana allegedly refused to stop sex work and thereafter plotted to kill her.

According to the Crime Branch’s preliminary findings, Shamshuddin allegedly conspired with his brother Iqbal Khedawala, associate Abdul Karim, and homeowner Saliya Bibi to murder Farzana at Saliya Bibi’s residence in Qutubnagar.

Police suspect Farzana was taken to the house by Shamshuddin and strangled late at night. Investigators believe the accused then dug a pit inside the house, buried her body and covered the area with plaster in an attempt to permanently conceal the crime.

Officials said the house subsequently remained largely abandoned for years and had acquired a reputation in the locality for being “haunted”, with nearby residents reportedly reluctant to occupy the property due to persistent rumours surrounding the premises.

The Crime Branch stated that early information had suggested Shamshuddin was deceased, but fresh interrogation of persons connected to the suspects indicated that he is in fact alive. Police said questioning of the suspects and related witnesses has yielded additional crucial information, though officials declined to reveal further details citing legal sensitivities and the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The recovered skeletal remains have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination, and investigators have traced a relative of the suspected victim to facilitate DNA profiling.

Bharat Patel, ACP Crime branch said that “the DNA report will be critical in conclusively establishing whether the remains belong to Farzana and in strengthening the legal case against the surviving accused.”

“Of the four persons suspected to have been involved in the alleged murder, Abdul Karim and Saliya Bibi have since died, while Shamshuddin and Iqbal are believed to be alive.” further said Patel

Further investigation is underway.