Who is Dr. Shaheen Sayeed?
Dr Shaheen Sayeed is a 46-year-old Indian medical academic from Lucknow who gained national attention in November 2025 after being arrested in a multi-state terror investigation. Authorities allege she was involved in forming the women’s recruitment wing of the banned organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Once a respected lecturer in pharmacology, her sudden appearance in a high-profile security case has shocked colleagues and family members alike, including her brothers who say they lost contact with her years before her arrest.
Key Information
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr Shaheen Sayeed |
| Profession | Doctor / Academic Lecturer |
| Known For | Involvement in 2025 terror-module investigation linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed women’s wing |
| Age | 46 years (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | 1979 (exact day/month not confirmed) |
| Years Active | Active in academia until 2025 |
| Hometown | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Current Residence | Faridabad, Haryana (at time of arrest) |
| Religion | Muslim |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Educational Qualification | Medical degree / Assistant Professor (Pharmacology) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Husband | Dr Zafar Hayat (ex-husband) |
| Children | Two (children’s names not disclosed) |
Education and Career
Dr. Shaheen Sayeed’s career journey spans her education as a doctor, a period of employment in a government medical college, a mysterious disappearance, a divorce, and ultimately a role as an assistant professor at a private university, where she allegedly became involved in a terror network.
- Education: She completed her medical studies (MBBS) from an institute in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh.
- Early Employment: She was selected through the Public Service Commission and became an Assistant Professor at the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Medical College (GSVMC) in Kanpur, a government institution.
- Disappearance from GSVMC: In 2013, she reportedly vanished from the Kanpur medical college without informing the authorities. The institute officially dismissed her in 2021 due to this unexplained absence.
- Al-Falah University: She later joined the faculty at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, as a medical professor, teaching MBBS students. It was here that she became associated with other doctors who were part of the same alleged terror network, including Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Dr. Umar Mohammad.
- “White-Collar” Terror Network: Investigators allege that she, along with the other arrested professionals, was part of a “white-collar terror ecosystem” that used their academic and medical professions as a cover for radical activities.
Personal Life
Dr Sayeed was married to Dr Zafar Hayat before their divorce in 2015. According to him, the marriage ended after disagreements over her desire to move abroad. He later told the media that she had always been liberal and “never wore a burqa.” Her family was reportedly out of touch with her for four years before the arrest, indicating possible estrangement. She is currently not known to be in a relationship and has two children from her previous marriage.
Family Background
| Relation | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Syed Ahmad Ansari – resides in Lucknow |
| Mother | Name not publicly reported |
| Brothers | Mohammad Shoaib – Elder brother, lives with their father in Lucknow, told media the family had no contact with Shaheen for four years before her arrest
Dr Parvez Ansari – Younger brother, assistant professor at Integral University in Lucknow; his residence was searched by police after Shaheen’s arrest |
| Sister(s) | None publicly reported |
| Husband | Dr Zafar Hayat (ex-husband) |
| Children | Two (names not disclosed) |
Controversies
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2025 Arrest: Dr Shaheen Sayeed was taken into custody in November 2025 as part of a major NIA investigation into a terror module spanning multiple states. Explosives were recovered in Faridabad, and a car blast occurred near Delhi’s Red Fort.
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Allegations: She was accused of helping form the JeM’s women’s recruitment wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominat, and of using academic networks for recruitment.
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Family Reactions: Her elder brother and father expressed shock and stated that they had been estranged from her. Her younger brother Dr Parvez Ansari’s home was also searched as part of the investigation.
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Public Discourse: The case sparked debate on how educated professionals could be drawn into radical networks, challenging societal stereotypes.
Some Lesser Known Facts
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Before her arrest, she was described by family as “liberal” and socially active in academic circles.
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Her elder brother Mohammad Shoaib had no contact with her for years before the incident.
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Her younger brother Dr Parvez Ansari teaches at Integral University in Lucknow.
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Dr Sayeed previously expressed interest in moving abroad to Australia or Europe.
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She reportedly excelled academically throughout her career.
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Her case has prompted a national discussion on the radicalisation of professionals.
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She has not issued any public statement since her arrest.
Latest Updates
As of November 2025, Dr Shaheen Sayeed is in custody under NIA investigation. She was working at Al Falah University in Faridabad prior to her arrest. Authorities continue to probe the scope of her involvement and possible network links across Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. No other professional or academic projects have been announced since then.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Dr Shaheen Sayeed?
A: Dr Shaheen Sayeed is a 46-year-old Indian doctor and academic lecturer from Lucknow who was arrested in November 2025 in connection with a terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Q2: How old is Dr Shaheen Sayeed?
A: She is 46 years old as of 2025, born in 1979.
Q3: Where is Dr Shaheen Sayeed from?
A: She is from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Q4: Who are Dr Shaheen Sayeed’s brothers?
A: She has two brothers, Mohammad Shoaib (elder) and Dr Parvez Ansari (younger).
Q5: Is Dr Shaheen Sayeed married?
A: She was married to Dr Zafar Hayat but is now divorced.
Q6: What is Dr Shaheen Sayeed known for?
A: She is known for her alleged involvement in a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror module and the Red Fort blast investigation of 2025.
Q7: Where is Dr Shaheen Sayeed now?
A: She is currently under NIA custody as investigations continue.
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