Saif Ali Khan Attack Incident: Police Capture Suspect Shahzad; Potential Bangladeshi National, Says Mumbai Authorities

Mumbai, Jan 19 (NationPress) On Sunday, the Mumbai Police announced the arrest of a man named Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad in connection with the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. The police indicated that he may originally be from Bangladesh.

Dikshit Gedam, DCP of the Crime Branch Mumbai, stated at a press conference, "There is primary evidence suggesting that the accused hails from Bangladesh. He lacks valid Indian identification. Some items seized further suggest that he is indeed a national from Bangladesh..."

The incident occurred on January 16 at 2 a.m., when actor Saif Ali Khan was assaulted at his residence.

"An FIR was filed, and one suspect has been apprehended. His name is Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a 30-year-old who broke into the home with the intent to commit robbery. He will be presented in court, and a custody request will be made," said the DCP.

Further investigations are ongoing.

"Our suspicion is that he is of Bangladeshi descent..." the DCP noted.

He added, "The suspect arrived in Mumbai 5 to 6 months ago, living in various locations before settling in Mumbai 15 days prior. He had been using the alias Vijay Das."

"He was employed at a housekeeping agency. Following his illegal entry into India, he adopted a new identity," the DCP explained.

The arrest took place near the Hiranandani Estate in Kasarvadavali, approximately 35 kilometers from Saif Ali Khan's residence. Initially claiming his name was Vijay Das, further questioning revealed his true identity.

He had altered his name out of fear of apprehension.

The apprehension by the Mumbai Police was part of a joint operation led by DCP Zone-6 Navnath Dhavale's unit and the Kasarvadavali police at a labor camp near the metro construction site, behind the TCS Call Center in Thane West.

During the incident, Saif Ali Khan suffered six stab wounds while defending himself against the intruder who attempted to commit robbery at his Bandra home early Thursday morning.

The assailant fled, and Saif Ali Khan was rushed to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent several surgeries.

Reportedly, Saif Ali Khan is now recovering and is out of immediate danger.

The primary suspect had previously worked at a pub in Mumbai. Following his arrest, the police plan to present him in court later on Sunday, according to the Mumbai crime branch.

Mumbai Police have indicated that the suspect used various names, including Vijay Das, Bijoy Das, and Mohammad Ilyas, as per media reports.

The attacker was captured on CCTV footage from the Satguru Sharan building, where Saif Ali Khan resides.

DCP Zone-9 Dikshit Gedam revealed that the attacker accessed the stairs to reach Saif's 12th-floor apartment.

At the time of the incident, Saif Ali Khan's home staff member Eliyamma Philips, also known as Lima, was present and was the first to notice the intruder. She engaged in a struggle with him, resulting in injuries to her hand.

Upon hearing Lima's screams, Saif Ali Khan exited his room and fought with the assailant, who stabbed him approximately six times. Following the altercation, the attacker escaped.

In her statement to the Mumbai Police, Lima described the attacker as a slim, dark-skinned man in his late thirties, standing about 5 feet 5 inches tall.

Almost six hours after the attack, the suspect was seen on CCTV purchasing headphones at a store in Dadar while wearing a blue shirt around 9 a.m. on Thursday. Earlier, he had also been spotted at Bandra railway station, where he likely boarded a train.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan's wife, informed the police that the assailant became "very aggressive" during the struggle and repeatedly stabbed her husband. However, she noted that he did not touch any visible jewelry.

Saif Ali Khan sustained severe injuries during the confrontation and was admitted to the hospital with six stab wounds, including two deep cuts on his left hand and neck. He underwent multiple surgeries and was reported to be "out of danger." He was placed in intensive care for monitoring.

On Friday, Niraj Uttamani, the chief operating officer of the hospital, updated reporters that Saif Ali Khan had been moved to a special room and was in recovery.

"He is in good spirits. In fact, we are planning for his discharge in the next two to three days," he added.

Doctors praised Saif Ali Khan for his bravery and have limited visitors to ensure he gets adequate rest.