Mumbai Police arrest Mohammad Sariful Islam Shehzad, the prime suspect in the stabbing of Saif Ali Khan, from a labor camp in Thane. Believed to be a Bangladeshi national, Shehzad is accused of illegally entering India and working under a false identity. Meanwhile, authorities confirm that another man detained in Chhattisgarh has no links to the high-profile case.
BY PC Bureau
Mumbai Police have arrested Mohammad Sariful Islam Shehzad, the prime suspect in the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, from a labor camp near a metro construction site in Thane. Police suspect Shehzad to be a Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally months ago. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Dixit Gedam, Shehzad had been working in Mumbai under the alias Bijoy Das and was employed with a housekeeping agency.
“We have recovered items suggesting the accused is from Bangladesh. He has no Indian identification documents, and we have added Passport Act charges to the case,” said DCP Gedam. The suspect is currently being questioned to verify his identity and motive.
Seems like Mumbai Police has finally got the man who attacked Saif Ali Khan.
Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad attacked Saif.
He is a Bangladeshi. He entered India illegally around 6 months ago.
He was using Hindu name Vijay Das and was working in a housekeeping agency. pic.twitter.com/v7RgwpkvcT
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) January 19, 2025
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police clarified that another man detained in Chhattisgarh on Saturday, Aakash Kanojia, is not linked to the Saif Ali Khan case. Kanojia, intercepted by the Raipur Railway Protection Force while traveling on the Jnaneswari Express, was being investigated based on alerts shared by Mumbai Police. However, authorities have now dismissed his involvement in the stabbing incident.
Incident Overview
Saif Ali Khan was attacked during a burglary attempt at his Bandra West home early Thursday morning. The intruder reportedly entered the room of the actor’s younger son, Jehangir (Jeh), before being spotted by a house help. The ensuing commotion alerted Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, who rushed to Jeh’s room. Saif confronted the attacker and sustained stab wounds to his neck and near the spine during the altercation.
The actor was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in an autorickshaw, where he underwent emergency surgery. Doctors have confirmed that Saif Ali Khan is now out of danger and recovering well.
Investigation Updates
Posters of the suspect captured on CCTV footage, including images of him climbing down the stairs of Saif’s home, were circulated widely. Additional footage showed him at Dadar railway station following the attack. Police believe the suspect closely monitored news reports about the case and switched off his phone to avoid detection.
Further investigation revealed that Shehzad had been living in Mumbai for four months, working at various sites in the city. He had recently been employed at a construction site with a contractor. Police are now exploring whether the attacker was operating alone or had accomplices.
Saif Ali Khan’s Recovery
Doctors at Lilavati Hospital have reported that Saif Ali Khan is making steady progress. Neurosurgeon Dr. Nitin Dange shared that the actor has been moved from the ICU to a general ward and is on a normal diet. “We are observing his recovery closely. If all goes well, we expect to discharge him within the next two to three days,” Dr. Dange said.
A press conference by Mumbai Police is scheduled for 9 a.m. to provide further details about the case and the ongoing investigation.
