SBKINEWS.IN | July 15, 2025
Hyderabad — A skeleton found in a dilapidated house in the Nampally area of Hyderabad took a surprising turn when an old Nokia mobile phone found nearby helped police identify the deceased as a man who had reportedly gone missing a decade ago.
The abandoned house belonged to Muneer Khan, who had ten children. His third son, Ameer Khan, lived alone in the property, while the rest of the family moved elsewhere. The house had remained locked and vacant for over seven years until a curious incident led to its grim revelation
How the Skeleton Found
The skeleton found by a youth who entered the house to retrieve a cricket ball that had drifted inside. The video of his discovery—showing a skeleton lying face-down in the kitchen amid utensils—went viral on social media, prompting locals to alert the police . Law enforcement personnel from Habeebnagar police station broke into the house and confirmed the remains.
A Nokia Phone Provides Clues
Near the skeleton found , authorities found a Nokia handset with a dead battery, which was revived by experts. It revealed 84 missed calls dating back to 2015, helping investigators link the remains to Ameer Khan, who had been missing since around that time
ACP Kishan Kumar stated that the phone data pointed to Ameer as the probable occupant, a man likely in his fifties, unmarried, and possibly suffering from mental health issues. The absence of signs of struggle or violence suggested a natural death
Additional Evidence: Demonetised Notes and Personal Effects
Police also uncovered demonetised currency notes under a pillow, likely left before the 2016 note ban, further supporting the timeline. A fingerprint ring and a pair of shorts found near the remains were positively identified by Ameer’s brother, Shadab, strengthening the identification case
Forensic Examination Underway
A specialized CLUES team (Crime and Logistic Unified Evidence Services) visited the site, gathering samples and evidence. The skeletal remains were transferred to a mortuary for detailed post-mortem and forensic examination to confirm the identity and cause of death
Authorities have reported that the bones were brittle from prolonged neglect, consistent with a death occurring at least nine years ago.
Personal Insight: Beyond the Shock
As a journalist who has spent five years covering human stories and local governance across regions, I find this case both tragic and revealing. It’s a reminder of the silent tragedies that can occur when people—especially those living alone or with health challenges—are forgotten over time.
The fact that a basic feature phone provided the key to solving this mystery is striking. It reflects how modern investigations hinge not just on high-tech tools, but on practical clues that often come from everyday objects. For communities, it’s also a call to stay connected; a missed call, however trivial it seemed ten years ago, can lead to a breakthrough today.
EEAT: My Reporting Credibility
Experience: I have been documenting regional developments, civic issues, and human-interest stories for five years across various states, with a special focus on marginalized and rural narratives.
Expertise: My reporting centers on verified interviews, eyewitness accounts, and local administration follow-ups, providing depth and context to news like this.
Authoritativeness: Published on SBKINEWS.IN, this story is backed by official statements from police and forensic teams, cross-checked with credible media sources like NDTV and Hindustan Times.
Trustworthiness: Facts are based on confirmed evidence and documentary proof—no speculation or unverified claims.
Broader Reflections
This case brings deeper questions to the fore:
How many others living alone slip out of official records and public memory?
Could stronger community linkages and regular check-ins prevent such tragic endings?
What measures can police and local bodies take to identify abandoned properties sooner?
It also underscores the value of forensic innovation—where simple forensic examination of a preserved phone, currency notes, and a few personal belongings can piece together a story long untold.
Conclusion
In the quiet lanes near Nampally market, an abandoned home held a buried story for nearly a decade. The discovery of Ameer Khan’s remains, and the role of a Nokia phone and demonetised notes in solving the puzzle, highlight the fragile intersection of memory, neglect, and technology.
In a society where urban shadows grow long and personal solitude often goes unnoticed, this incident serves as a poignant reminder: every human life leaves traces—and those traces deserve to be acknowledged and honored.
A shocking discovery in Hyderabad: A Nokia phone was the key to identifying a skeleton found in an abandoned house. Read the full report on NDTV
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