19 Years Later, Court Sentences Three Former AMU Students to Life Imprisonment in 2007 Murder Case

Aligarh, January 23, 2026: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) murder case, which occurred on April 8, 2007, has reached a verdict after 19 years. A fast-track court in Aligarh sentenced three former students to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹30,000 each.

The case dates back to the AMU student union elections, when tensions between rival student groups escalated. On the night of April 8, 2007, Nabil Ahmed, a second-year B.Com student from Habib Hall, was at a tea stall with fellow students Saabit Ali, Muhammad Shahnawaz Khan, and Nizamuddin. Two armed men on motorcycles arrived and began firing, striking Saabit Ali near his left side. He was rushed to J.N. Medical College but was declared dead upon arrival.

Victim Background and Accused
The deceased, Saabit Ali, hailed from Bihar and was a B.Com second-year student at AMU. The accused included two current students, Asif Navi Khan and Geetam Singh Kushwaha, and a former student, Avid Ansari (also known as Chaudhary). Another former student, Mohammad Imran, was initially named but later removed from the case. The police investigation relied on post-mortem reports, call data records (CDR), witness statements, and recovery of the firearm used in the incident.

The accused were charged from their respective residences in Bulandshahr, Etawah, and Chharra, arrested, and subsequently released on bail until the verdict.

Court Proceedings
The case involved testimony from 10 witnesses, including individuals residing in Chennai, West Bengal, and Delhi. Police and AMU administration assisted in locating witnesses for court hearings. Based on evidence and witness accounts, the court found the three accused guilty and sentenced them accordingly.

Following the verdict, the three men were brought to court from jail for the sentencing hearing and were then returned to prison to serve their life sentences.