Accused after arrest (left) and Saif Ali Khan
NEW DELHI: Nearly three days after Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed at his Bandra residence in the early hours of Thursday, the Mumbai Police have arrested the alleged main attacker,
Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad
, a Bangladeshi national. Following two misidentifications and extensive investigations, police confirmed on Sunday that Shehzad, who had entered India illegally, was using multiple aliases. It was revealed that he had entered Saif Ali Khan's house with the intension of theft during which the stabbing occurred.
The attack, which left Khan with severe stab wounds to his thoracic spine, unfolded when the intruder confronted a staff member inside the actor's apartment. Khan reportedly intervened, leading to a violent altercation. Following the incident, the actor was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where emergency surgery was performed to remove a 2.5-inch blade. While Khan is now "out of danger" and recovering in a regular hospital room, his condition continues to be closely monitored.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Mumbai Police questioned two individuals in separate locations — one in Chhattisgarh and another in Mumbai — but both were later cleared of involvement. The breakthrough came when Shehzad was apprehended in Thane, allegedly while planning to flee to his native Bangladesh, news agency ANI reported.
A case has been registered against Shehzad under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including charges for grievous assault and housebreaking, as well as provisions of the Passport Act for his
illegal entry into India
. During a press conference, Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 9, Dixit Gedam revealed that Shehzad had been using aliases such as Vijay Das and Bijoy Das, and had worked in Mumbai for the past five to six
months in various housekeeping jobs.
What do we know about the alleged attacker?
- Shehzad is a 31-year-old native of Jhalokati district, Bangladesh.
- He entered India illegally and adopted multiple identities, including "Vijay Das."
- He worked in Mumbai for five to six months, employed by a housekeeping agency.
- Shehzad allegedly planned the theft but was unaware it was Saif Ali Khan’s residence.
- Police have seized evidence suggesting his Bangladeshi origin and are verifying his criminal history.
- He was nabbed in Thane.
Authorities have formed 20 teams to investigate the case further, examining CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, including Khan’s staff and neighbours.
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