Ahmedabad Crime Branch recovers 1992 murder remains from Vatva well
Synopsis
A 1992 murder case in Ahmedabad lay buried — literally — for over 33 years, until the accused's own family reportedly sought occult remedies for recurring hallucinations, inadvertently surfacing information that led police to skeletal remains hidden in a residential well in Vatva. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch is now pursuing DNA confirmation and questioning surviving suspects.
Key Takeaways
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch recovered skeletal remains on 29 April 2025 from a well near Kumbhar Nagar Chowk, Vatva .
The remains are believed to belong to Farzana (Shabnam) , a Mumbai resident allegedly murdered in 1992 .
The suspected killer, Shamshuddin , is deceased; his brother Rizwan and other suspects are currently being questioned.
The case resurfaced after the accused's family reportedly sought occult remedies for recurring hallucinations, during which critical information came to light.
Forensic and DNA testing will be conducted to confirm the identity of the deceased.
DCP Ajit Rajian said the suspected motive is a crime of passion linked to an extramarital relationship, though all angles remain under investigation.
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Wednesday, 29 April recovered skeletal human remains believed to belong to a woman allegedly murdered in 1992, in a significant breakthrough in a decades-old cold case in the Vatva area of Ahmedabad. The remains were retrieved during excavation of a well near Kumbhar Nagar Chowk, where investigators suspect the body had been concealed for over three decades.
What Was Recovered and Where
Police deployed an excavator at a well located near or within a residential premises in Vatva to carry out the operation. Skeletal remains were recovered during the excavation, which was conducted after the necessary legal permissions were obtained. Residents in the vicinity were informed ahead of the dig and assured of compensation for any disturbance caused.
The Suspected Victim and Alleged Crime
Authorities believe the remains are those of Farzana, also known as Shabnam, a Mumbai resident who had reportedly travelled to Ahmedabad over three decades ago to meet her partner, Shamshuddin. According to investigators, Shamshuddin is believed to have killed Farzana following tensions arising from her visit, which allegedly caused domestic discord. Police suspect the body was subsequently disposed of inside the well at the accused's residence in an attempt to conceal the crime.
How the Case Resurfaced After 33 Years
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ajit Rajian said the case came to light under what he described as
Point of View
A deceased primary suspect, and reportedly occult-driven family disclosures to surface the crime raises serious questions about the original missing persons process in 1992. If Farzana was a Mumbai resident who simply vanished after travelling to Ahmedabad, why did no formal complaint generate a sustained investigation at the time? The Crime Branch deserves credit for acting on unconventional leads, but the larger accountability question — how a body concealed in a residential well went undetected for 33 years — demands scrutiny beyond the forensic confirmation.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Ahmedabad Crime Branch recover in the 1992 murder case?
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch recovered skeletal human remains from a well near Kumbhar Nagar Chowk in Vatva on 29 April 2025. The remains are believed to belong to Farzana, also known as Shabnam, a Mumbai resident allegedly murdered in 1992.
Who is the suspected victim in the Ahmedabad 1992 murder case?
The suspected victim is Farzana, also known as Shabnam, a Mumbai resident who had reportedly travelled to Ahmedabad to meet her partner, Shamshuddin. Investigators believe Shamshuddin killed her following domestic tensions arising from her visit.
How did the 1992 Ahmedabad murder case come to light after 33 years?
According to DCP Ajit Rajian, the case resurfaced after members of the accused's family reportedly experienced repeated hallucinations and psychological distress, leading them to seek occult remedies during which critical information about the crime surfaced. Police then initiated a discreet inquiry that identified the site.
Who is currently being investigated in the Ahmedabad 1992 cold case?
Rizwan, the brother of the late Shamshuddin, along with other suspects and eyewitnesses, is currently being questioned by the Crime Branch. The primary suspect, Shamshuddin, is deceased.
What is the next step in the Ahmedabad 1992 murder investigation?
Forensic and DNA testing will be conducted to confirm the identity of the recovered remains and establish a conclusive link to Farzana. The Crime Branch is also re-examining missing persons records and old complaints from 1992 to assist in identification.
