The Ahmedabad city crime branch on Friday confirmed that skeletal remains recovered from a property in Vatva belong to Farzana Radhanpuri, marking a significant breakthrough in a murder case that dates back to 1992. The remains were exhumed on April 29 from a septic tank area in Qutubnagar, Vatva, during an investigation into the decades-old disappearance.
DNA Evidence Confirms Identity
A senior crime branch officer stated that DNA analysis of the remains matched samples provided by Farzana's family. 'Now, an FIR is being registered,' the officer added. The bones and teeth were buried deep underground and were recovered after police received specific information about the property.
Earlier, forensic experts had indicated that the skeletal remains were likely those of a female and that the estimated height matched Farzana's description. However, investigators awaited DNA confirmation due to the deteriorated condition of the remains.
Challenges in Forensic Examination
Officials noted that the forensic process was particularly challenging because of the age of the case. Police suspect that salt may have been used to accelerate decomposition and destroy evidence. The hardened and calcified bones required careful processing before viable DNA samples could be extracted.
Suspect Identified and Located
The crime branch has traced the prime suspect, Shamshuddin Khedawala, who was previously believed to be dead. Police revealed that he had been living on the outskirts of Ahmedabad and working as a taxi driver after leaving his Jamalpur residence in 2015.
Possible Motives Under Investigation
Police suspect that property and marital disputes may have motivated the alleged murder. Authorities are also investigating the nature of the relationship between Farzana and the accused, as well as the circumstances that led to her disappearance more than three decades ago.
