Saif Ali Khan Attack Update: Suspect Identified as Likely Bangladeshi National
Mumbai Police have confirmed that the suspect arrested in connection with the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is likely a Bangladeshi national. The accused, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, aged 30, was apprehended after a 70-hour manhunt following the incident that occurred on January 16 at Khan’s residence.
The attack took place in the early hours of January 16 when the intruder entered Khan’s home with the intent to commit robbery. During the confrontation, he stabbed Khan multiple times. The police reported that the assailant managed to enter through a fire exit and was confronted by Khan, who sustained serious injuries in the process. Fortunately, he was rushed to Lilavati Hospital and is now reported to be in stable condition.
Arrest and Investigation
Following the attack, police launched an extensive investigation that included reviewing CCTV footage and analyzing digital evidence. The suspect was eventually tracked down to a construction site in Thane, where he was hiding. Upon his arrest, police discovered that he had been living in Mumbai for approximately five to six months and had worked for a housekeeping agency.DCP Zone 9, Dixit Gedam, stated during a press briefing that preliminary evidence suggests Shehzad is indeed a Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally. He had reportedly changed his name to Vijay Das after arriving in India. The police are currently verifying his identity and background, as well as gathering more information about his motives.
Identity and Background
The investigation revealed that Shehzad had been using multiple aliases, including Bijoy Das and Mohammed Iliyas. He does not possess any valid Indian identification documents, which raises further concerns regarding illegal immigration and security within Mumbai.Authorities have indicated that they are probing deeper into his background to ascertain whether he acted alone or if there were any accomplices involved in the attack. The police have also added charges under the Passport Act due to his illegal entry into India.
The attack on Saif Ali Khan has sent shockwaves through the film industry and raised serious questions about safety in Mumbai, often touted as one of India’s safest cities. Prominent figures from both the film fraternity and political circles have expressed their concerns over rising crime rates targeting celebrities.In response to the public outcry, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that while isolated incidents do occur, Mumbai remains one of the safest megacities in India. However, he acknowledged that such incidents should be treated with utmost seriousness.
The arrested suspect is expected to be presented before a court today, where police will seek custody for further investigation. The charges against him include robbery with intent to cause grievous hurt and house trespass at night. If convicted under these charges, Shehzad could face a minimum of seven years in prison.
As investigations continue, authorities are focused on ensuring justice for Saif Ali Khan while addressing broader issues related to security and illegal immigration in urban areas like Mumbai. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by public figures and raises critical questions about safety measures needed to protect them and ordinary citizens alike.