On 19th January, Mumbai Police arrested a suspected Bangladeshi immigrant named Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case. According to media reports, the accused was detained in Thane after confessing to entering the actor’s home, located in Bandra West, during the early hours of 16th January and carrying out the attack. In an official statement, Mumbai Police said the accused entered India illegally and was using fake Hindu identity.
Speaking to media on Sunday morning, DCP Zone 9 Dixit Gedam said, “On 16th January, at 2 am, actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked at his residence. FIR was registered and one accused has been arrested. His name is Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, he is 30 years old. He entered the house with the intention of robbery. He will be produced in the court and custody will be demanded. Further investigation will take place later… We doubt he is of Bangladeshi origin…”
#WATCH | Saif Ali Khan Attack case | Mumbai: DCP Zone 9 Dixit Gedam says, "On January 16, at 2 am, actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked at his residence. FIR was registered and one accused has been arrested. His name is Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, he is 30 years old. He entered… pic.twitter.com/8ycVV3CLxI
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025
He added, “Prima facie the accused is a Bangladeshi and after entering India illegally he changed his name. He was using Vijay Das as his current name. He came to Mumbai 5-6 months ago. He stayed in Mumbai for a few days and then in the vicinity of Mumbai. The accused used to work in a housekeeping agency.”
#WATCH | Saif Ali Khan Attack case | Mumbai: DCP Zone 9 Dixit Gedam says, "Prima facie the accused is a Bangladeshi and after entering India illegally he changed his name. He was using Vijay Das as his current name. He came to Mumbai 5-6 months ago. He stayed in Mumbai for a few… pic.twitter.com/r08nkk6ott
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025
DSP further said, “There is primary evidence to anticipate that the accused is a Bangladeshi. He does not have valid Indian documents. There are some seizures that indicate that he is a Bangladeshi national…”
#WATCH | Saif Ali Khan Attack case | Mumbai: DCP Zone 9 Dixit Gedam says, "There is primary evidence to anticipate that the accused is a Bangladeshi. He does not have valid Indian documents. There are some seizures that indicate that he is a Bangladeshi national…" pic.twitter.com/zkgY109dMh
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025
The 54-year-old Saif was admitted to Lilavati Hospital after sustaining multiple stab wounds, including injuries to his neck and spine, as he confronted the attacker. He underwent emergency surgery and is currently recovering at the hospital. Doctors have confirmed that he is out of danger.
Burglary attempt gone wrong
According to the complaint filed at the police station, the attacker was spotted by a house help as he entered the bedroom of Jehangir, alias Jeh, the younger son of Saif. The house help immediately alerted Saif and Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif’s wife. The actor confronted the intruder, which led to a scuffle. During the altercation, the actor sustained serious injuries, and a piece of the blade broke off and got lodged in his body, which was later removed during surgery.
Suspect’s background raises questions
The accused was reportedly an employee at a pub located in Thane. The police tracked him to a labour camp near a metro construction site in the Hiranandani Estate. According to the authorities, the accused hails from West Bengal and uses several aliases, including Bijoy Das, Vijay Das, Mohammad Illyas, and BJ. Reports suggest that an investigation into his nationality is also underway to determine if he is an Indian or a Bangladeshi using fake identification.
Nationwide search for accomplices
The arrest of the main accused followed an extensive manhunt that utilised CCTV footage showing the attacker fleeing Saif‘s residence. Posters with his image were distributed across Mumbai and the surrounding areas.
Acting on a tip-off, Mumbai Police coordinated with Chhattisgarh Police and detained a suspect in Durg district, identified as 31-year-old Aakash Kailash Kanojia. He was apprehended aboard the Gyaneshwari Express train by the Railway Protection Force. However, his connection to the case remains unclear.
In another instance, a man detained in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday was initially linked to the stabbing incident, but authorities later clarified that the detention was unrelated.