Najeeb Ahmed, a biotechnology student at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, vanished under mysterious circumstances following a dispute with a student group in 2016. Despite extensive investigations, his family claims the search has been flawed, leading to a court's recent decision to close the case. Ahmed's mother, Fatima Nafees, remains determined to find her son.
Najeeb Ahmed's Disappearance: A Mother's Unyielding Fight for Justice

Najeeb Ahmed's Disappearance: A Mother's Unyielding Fight for Justice
The unresolved mystery surrounding the disappearance of Indian student Najeeb Ahmed in 2016 continues to haunt his family, as legal battles and unanswered questions persist nearly a decade later.
In October 2016, Najeeb Ahmed, a promising Indian student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), disappeared without a trace. His last known whereabouts were the university hostel where he was living while studying biotechnology. Just hours before he went missing, the 27-year-old was involved in a confrontation with members of a student association known for its political activism, raising questions surrounding his fate ever since.
Hailing from a humble background in Uttar Pradesh, Najeeb's family sacrificed much to support his academic pursuits at JNU, one of India's leading educational institutions. His mother, Fatima Nafees, was informed about the altercation between her son and rival student groups. After receiving this news, she rushed to Delhi hoping to find him. Tragically, upon her arrival, she found his belongings including his phone and wallet left behind in his hostel.
In the aftermath of his disappearance, pressure mounted on law enforcement as protests erupted on campus, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Initially, Delhi Police conducted searches but were unable to provide significant progress. By May 2017, following public outcry and a petition from Nafees, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a more thorough inquiry.
As years went by, the CBI's investigation mapped connections with over 500 witnesses and delved into transportation records, but the search yielded no leads. By late 2020, the agency claimed all efforts had been exhausted, leading to a court ruling that effectively closed the case. Nafees has consistently criticized the investigation's integrity, arguing the inquiry lacked appropriate rigor, particularly towards the student group involved in the scuffle.
Adding to the turmoil, Nafees contends that her son's religious background may have influenced the police’s urgency in closing the case. She has expressed discontent with how authorities handled the case and remains resolute in her mission to advocate for justice. Annually, on the anniversary of her son's disappearance, she participates in candlelight vigils at JNU, keeping his memory alive and maintaining hope despite the heartbreak.
The court's closure of the case has left Ahmed’s family devastated, yet Nafees's relentless pursuit of the truth ensures that Najeeb Ahmed's story echoes throughout societal discussions on academic safety and the accountability of authorities. Where the investigation has faltered, a mother’s love and strength continue to endure.
Hailing from a humble background in Uttar Pradesh, Najeeb's family sacrificed much to support his academic pursuits at JNU, one of India's leading educational institutions. His mother, Fatima Nafees, was informed about the altercation between her son and rival student groups. After receiving this news, she rushed to Delhi hoping to find him. Tragically, upon her arrival, she found his belongings including his phone and wallet left behind in his hostel.
In the aftermath of his disappearance, pressure mounted on law enforcement as protests erupted on campus, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Initially, Delhi Police conducted searches but were unable to provide significant progress. By May 2017, following public outcry and a petition from Nafees, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a more thorough inquiry.
As years went by, the CBI's investigation mapped connections with over 500 witnesses and delved into transportation records, but the search yielded no leads. By late 2020, the agency claimed all efforts had been exhausted, leading to a court ruling that effectively closed the case. Nafees has consistently criticized the investigation's integrity, arguing the inquiry lacked appropriate rigor, particularly towards the student group involved in the scuffle.
Adding to the turmoil, Nafees contends that her son's religious background may have influenced the police’s urgency in closing the case. She has expressed discontent with how authorities handled the case and remains resolute in her mission to advocate for justice. Annually, on the anniversary of her son's disappearance, she participates in candlelight vigils at JNU, keeping his memory alive and maintaining hope despite the heartbreak.
The court's closure of the case has left Ahmed’s family devastated, yet Nafees's relentless pursuit of the truth ensures that Najeeb Ahmed's story echoes throughout societal discussions on academic safety and the accountability of authorities. Where the investigation has faltered, a mother’s love and strength continue to endure.