Relentless mother’s search unmasks son’s murder by friends

By Sumesh Rajan

January 25, 2025

 

Mumbai: In a remarkable display of perseverance and determination, a single mother in India turned detective to find her missing son, ultimately uncovering two murders. Farida Khatun, a nurse at Mumbai’s J J Hospital, spent months investigating her son’s disappearance, challenging police indifference, and eventually leading authorities to the culprits.

A Son’s Mysterious Disappearance

In April 2015, 17-year-old Sohail Qureshi left his home in Mumbra, a suburb of Thane, neighbouring Mumbai in India, assuring his mother that he would return in ten minutes. When he failed to return, Khatun, a single mother who had separated from her husband, grew anxious. Three days later, she approached the local police, only to have her concerns dismissed. Detectives suggested he might have travelled to Ajmer Dargah, a popular pilgrimage site in the state of Rajasthan, like many young men.

Unwilling to accept their indifference, Khatun launched her own investigation with the help of local journalist Mubin Shaikh. She contacted relatives in Ajmer, checked prisons across Thane, Kalyan, and Taloja, and visited children’s observation homes and morgues – the efforts yielding no results. At the same time, she continued working at J J Hospital while caring for other son who was undergoing surgery.

A Shocking Discovery

Months into her search, Khatun learned that one of Qureshi’s close friends, Shabbir, had also gone missing on the same day. This revelation increased her fears. On speaking with Shabbir’s mother, Haseena, Khatun confirmed that neither family had any information about their sons. Determined to uncover the truth, she started questioning their mutual friends.

Through persistent inquiries, Khatun identified a key witness who suggested two acquaintances -- Deepak Valmiki, known as Sam, and Mohammad Chaudhari, known as Babu -- might be involved in the disappearances. Armed with this lead, Khatun, along with Haseena and journalist Shaikh, approached the Thane Crime Branch, compelling law enforcement to take action.

The Case Breaks Open

Investigators soon uncovered a chilling truth. Detectives discovered that Valmiki and Chaudhari murdered Shabbir first, as he disapproved of Valmiki’s relationship with his sister. They then killed Qureshi, suspecting he had informed Shabbir about the affair.

In November 2015, after months of relentless pursuit by Khatun and Haseena, the suspects led police to a site in Turbhe, Navi Mumbai, where the boys’ bodies had been buried. The grim discovery marked the tragic closure of a mother’s courageous search for justice.

A Mother’s Pursuit of Justice

Farida Khatun’s unwavering determination not only uncovered the fate of her son but also exposed the failure of local police to act swiftly. Her story stands as a testament to the power of persistence, shedding light on systemic challenges in addressing missing person’s cases in India.

Despite her grief, Khatun’s efforts ensured that justice was served, demonstrating the extraordinary resilience of a mother who refused to give up.



 

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