Police in Mumbai have apprehended a man suspected of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan in an incident that has left the nation in shock.
The acclaimed actor, one of India’s top film stars, was attacked at his residence last week and is now recovering following surgery.
The suspect, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, was arrested in the Thane district, located on the outskirts of Mumbai, police said on Sunday. Shehzad is alleged to be a Bangladeshi national residing in India without proper documentation. However, his lawyer, Sandeep Shikhane, has refuted these claims, asserting that Shehzad is not from Bangladesh and denying his involvement in the attack.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Mumbai Police Dixit Gedam, initial investigations reveal that Shehzad had been in Mumbai for approximately six months, working for a housekeeping agency under a false identity. Authorities believe the suspect broke into Khan’s upscale home with the intent to rob him.
Khan sustained six stab wounds during the attack, including a serious injury to the back of his neck. Reports say the attacker demanded ₹10 million (about $115,000) before a struggle ensued. The scuffle, which involved Khan, his wife, and household staff, forced the intruder to flee.
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A court has placed Shehzad in police custody for five days, allowing investigators to probe the case further. Meanwhile, Shehzad’s lawyer has argued that his client is being unfairly targeted, claiming there is no proof linking him to Bangladesh.
The shocking incident has reignited concerns about security in Mumbai, India’s bustling financial hub.
Earlier in the investigation, at least five other individuals resembling the suspect were detained and later released. CCTV footage of the attacker leaving the premises provided crucial leads for the case, officials said.
Khan’s home nurse, Eliyama Philip, who witnessed the attack, described the terrifying encounter. She stated that she first noticed the shadow of a man near the bathroom door while caring for a child with a nanny. Armed with a wooden stick and a blade, the intruder threatened them before demanding money.
While the case continues to unfold, questions about safety measures in Mumbai’s affluent neighborhoods remain in the spotlight.
