*Since the baffling vanishing of Najeeb Ahmed, a biotechnology student, in 2016, his family continues to fight for answers amidst criticisms of the inquiry process and allegations of bias.*
**Missing Najeeb Ahmed: A Mother's Unyielding Search for Answers Eight Years On**
**Missing Najeeb Ahmed: A Mother's Unyielding Search for Answers Eight Years On**
*The unresolved disappearance of a student from Jawaharlal Nehru University haunts his family and raises questions about justice and accountability in India.*
In a heart-wrenching saga that has gripped India for nearly eight years, the disappearance of Najeeb Ahmed, a 27-year-old biotechnology student from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, remains shrouded in mystery. Ahmed went missing on October 15, 2016, shortly after being involved in a scuffle with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a right-wing student organization. Despite exhaustive investigations led by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), his family is still seeking answers.
The incident occurred the night before his disappearance when Ahmed, living in a university hostel, clashed with ABVP members campaigning for hostel elections—a common occurrence at the politically charged university. According to his roommate, Ahmed sustained injuries during the altercation and sought medical help at a local public hospital, where he allegedly faced refusal of treatment without a police complaint. Declining to file a complaint, Ahmed returned to campus, but the next day, he vanished, leaving behind his belongings.
After filing a missing persons complaint on October 15, Ahmed’s mother, Fatima Nafees, witnessed an alarming lack of urgency in the police response. Protests erupted across campus, demanding action. Within a month, Nafees sought legal intervention from the Delhi High Court, attributing the police's approach to a mix of negligence and bias. The case was handed over to the CBI in 2017, yet after examining more than 500 witnesses and conducting extensive searches, the agency declared that it had exhausted all leads and requested to close the case.
Last month, a Delhi court officially shut the investigation, expressing hope that Najeeb Ahmed could still be found. The ruling has left Nafees devastated, as she argues that the investigation did not adequately interrogate the students who were involved in the altercation. “What kind of message does this send?” she implored. She has continuously protested against what she perceives as an unjust investigation, alleging that her son's disappearance may have been treated less seriously due to his religion.
As the years pass, Nafees remains resolute in her quest for justice. Each October 15, she holds a candlelight vigil at JNU to commemorate her son, hoping for his return while grappling with her profound loss. Her husband, Nafees Ahmed, echoed her sentiments, expressing concern that their home renovations might hinder their son's recognition if he were to return. The family continues to question the thoroughness of the investigation, fueled by political undercurrents that they believe have hampered the quest for truth.
Meanwhile, the CBI maintains that it has operated without bias throughout the investigation. However, the issues surrounding the case persist, provoking broader discussions about accountability and systemic failings within Indian law enforcement. As Nafees remains undeterred, her fight serves as a wrenching reminder of a family's longing in the face of despair.
The incident occurred the night before his disappearance when Ahmed, living in a university hostel, clashed with ABVP members campaigning for hostel elections—a common occurrence at the politically charged university. According to his roommate, Ahmed sustained injuries during the altercation and sought medical help at a local public hospital, where he allegedly faced refusal of treatment without a police complaint. Declining to file a complaint, Ahmed returned to campus, but the next day, he vanished, leaving behind his belongings.
After filing a missing persons complaint on October 15, Ahmed’s mother, Fatima Nafees, witnessed an alarming lack of urgency in the police response. Protests erupted across campus, demanding action. Within a month, Nafees sought legal intervention from the Delhi High Court, attributing the police's approach to a mix of negligence and bias. The case was handed over to the CBI in 2017, yet after examining more than 500 witnesses and conducting extensive searches, the agency declared that it had exhausted all leads and requested to close the case.
Last month, a Delhi court officially shut the investigation, expressing hope that Najeeb Ahmed could still be found. The ruling has left Nafees devastated, as she argues that the investigation did not adequately interrogate the students who were involved in the altercation. “What kind of message does this send?” she implored. She has continuously protested against what she perceives as an unjust investigation, alleging that her son's disappearance may have been treated less seriously due to his religion.
As the years pass, Nafees remains resolute in her quest for justice. Each October 15, she holds a candlelight vigil at JNU to commemorate her son, hoping for his return while grappling with her profound loss. Her husband, Nafees Ahmed, echoed her sentiments, expressing concern that their home renovations might hinder their son's recognition if he were to return. The family continues to question the thoroughness of the investigation, fueled by political undercurrents that they believe have hampered the quest for truth.
Meanwhile, the CBI maintains that it has operated without bias throughout the investigation. However, the issues surrounding the case persist, provoking broader discussions about accountability and systemic failings within Indian law enforcement. As Nafees remains undeterred, her fight serves as a wrenching reminder of a family's longing in the face of despair.
