On 14th December, two ISIS-inspired gunmen opened fire on a Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing at least 15 individuals and wounding over 25 others including 6 critically. Now, one the terrorists, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, has been identified as a Hyderabad native from Tolichowki. According to a statement from Telangana Police, he moved to Australia in November 1998 to seek employment after earning his B.Com, in Hyderabad.
The official statement revealed, “He subsequently married Ms. Venera Grosso, a European origin woman before settle permanently in Australia.” Over the years, he only made six trips to India, mostly for family-related purposes including for his ageing parents and dealing with property issues. He had little touch with the family members.
#BREAKING: Telangana Police in India have officially confirmed that Bondi Beach Sydney Shooter Sajid Akram was originally from Hyderabad in India and migrated to Australia in 1998. Sajid Akram carried Indian passport but son Naveed is Australian citizen. pic.twitter.com/F3SOwnnrzT
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) December 16, 2025
Sajid did not give up his Indian citizenship while his daughter and 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, who was the other perpetrator of the deadly attack, are citizens of Australia. Additionally, Telangana police verified that Sajid had no criminal history in the country before he went to Australia.
A senior government official confirmed, “His father died in 2017, he did not even come to attend his last rites,” reported The Hindu. The official added, “After completing bachelors in commerce from Hyderabad, Akram moved to Australia and married a European woman. He retained his Indian passport.”
The authorities also mentioned that his radicalisation and acts seemed to have no relation to India or any local influence in Telangana. “Preliminary investigation does not establish any local links so far. We do not have access to his activities in Australia. His background was checked based on information from our sources,” the officer expressed. “Telangana Police has no adverse record against Sajid Akram during his stay in India prior to his departure in 1998,” similarly outlined the formal notification.
Meanwhile, it added, “The family members have expressed no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation.” The release further assured, “Telangana Police remain committed to cooperating with central agencies and other counterparts, as and when required, and urges the public and media to avoid speculation or attribution without verified facts.”
According to sources, Australian authorities are in contact with Indian officials regarding the matter. The Australian administration already informed that both attackers visited the Philippines last month. The son had an Australian passport while the father had an Indian one.
The father and son opened fire on attendees from an elevated pedestrian walkway during a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach. A 10-year-old child, a rabbi, a retired police officer and a Holocaust survivor were among the fatalities.
