Mumbai Police Arrests Main Suspect in Saif Ali Khan Attack

Mumbai: In a dramatic turn of events, the Mumbai Police has apprehended the primary suspect in the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. The accused, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad (30), is believed to be a Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone 9, Dixit Gedam, preliminary evidence, including seized items, suggests that the accused lacks valid Indian documentation and is indeed a Bangladeshi citizen.

The arrest followed two earlier mistaken detentions. The suspect was nabbed from Thane and has reportedly confessed to the crime. Investigations reveal that he was using multiple aliases, including Vijay Das, Bijoy Das, and Mohammad Ilyas, and was employed as a waiter in a restaurant. Currently in custody at the Khar Police Station, Shahzad is suspected of entering Khan’s Bandra apartment on January 16 with the intent to rob.

The attack occurred around 2:00 AM, during which Saif Ali Khan sustained serious injuries, including a stab wound to his thoracic spine. The actor was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove a 2.5-inch blade. Hospital authorities confirmed that the surgery was successful, and Saif’s condition is now stable, though he remains under close observation in the general ward.

The police have also invoked sections of the Passport Act, suspecting Shahzad’s illegal entry into the country. “Prima facie, the accused is a Bangladeshi who changed his identity upon entering India. He has been in Mumbai for five to six months, working in a housekeeping agency under false names,” DCP Gedam stated.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, Mumbai Police detained another suspect in Chhattisgarh, identified as Akash Kanoujia, who was traveling on the Dhaneshwari Express. The Raipur Railway Protection Force (RPF) handed him over to the Mumbai Police, though his connection to the attack remains unverified.

The police continue to probe Shahzad’s background, investigating his criminal record and verifying his involvement in other crimes. This arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the case that has gripped the nation, as authorities focus on ensuring justice and maintaining public safety.