DNA Evidence Helps Ahmedabad Crime Branch Solve 34-Year-Old Murder Case

May 10, 2026

Ahmedabad: In a breakthrough, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has solved a 34-year-old murder case using forensic investigation and DNA evidence, leading to the arrest of two accused linked to the killing of a woman who went missing from Ahmedabad’s Vatva area in 1992.

The deceased was identified as Farzana Radhanpuri.

Human Remains Recovered During Excavation in Vatva

According to police officials, the case was reopened after the Crime Branch received specific information indicating that human remains had been buried in the Qutubnagar locality of Vatva.

Acting on the lead, investigators excavated on April 29 at Survey No. 768, Plot No. 10, in the presence of executive magistrates, panch witnesses and officials from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Human skeletal remains were recovered from a depth of nearly 18 feet.

The remains were later sent to the Department of Forensic Medicine at B.J. Medical College for post-mortem examination, while DNA samples were analyzed at the FSL centre in Meghaninagar.

DNA Match Confirms Victim’s Identity

Forensic experts confirmed that the recovered remains matched DNA samples collected from Farzana’s brother, establishing the identity of the deceased after more than three decades.

Investigators said the breakthrough was achieved through a combination of witness statements, local inquiries, scientific evidence and technical surveillance.

Police Allege Family Conspiracy Behind Murder

Police alleged that Farzana was married to Shamsuddin Khedawala and that marital disputes had led to prolonged domestic discord.

According to investigators, Shamsuddin, along with his brother Iqbal Khedawala, Abdul Karim Javarawala and Saliyabibi Pathan, allegedly conspired to murder Farzana.

Police claimed that in 1992, Farzana was called to Saliyabibi’s residence in Qutubnagar, where she was allegedly strangled to death. Her body was then allegedly buried at the same location to conceal the crime and destroy evidence.

Fresh Human Intelligence Revived Cold Case

Officials said the case resurfaced after an informer overheard people casually discussing the decades-old crime and passed the information to the Crime Branch.

Investigators also travelled to Farzana’s native place in Dholka to record statements from family members and acquaintances to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Two Accused Arrested, Two Others Deceased

Police stated that two accused named in the case Saliyabibi Pathan and Abdul Karim Javarawala have since died.

Legal action has now been initiated against the surviving accused, Shamsuddin Khedawala, 61, a resident of Jamalpur, and Iqbal Khedawala, 63, a resident of Danilimda. Both have been arrested.

The case has been registered under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy).

Crime Branch Calls Investigation Highly Challenging

Assistant Commissioner of Police Bharat Patel said the investigation was particularly difficult due to the passage of time.

He stated that the Crime Branch used technical surveillance, old evidence, witness testimonies and DNA technology to solve the case.

Police said further investigation is currently underway.