Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: After a grueling 70-hour search, Mumbai Police arrested Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad, the prime suspect in the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence. The 30-year-old was apprehended near the Hiranandani Estate in Thane, Maharashtra, approximately 35 km from Khan’s home. The suspect had given a false name, Bijoy Das, and lacked Indian identification documents, police revealed.
Attack and Arrest Details
•Saif Ali Khan was stabbed six times, suffering serious injuries to his neck and spine, during the early hours of Thursday. He underwent emergency surgery at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, where doctors removed a 2.5-inch blade fragment from his spine.
•Shahzad, believed to be of Bangladeshi origin, had been living in Mumbai for four months and was employed by a housekeeping company, according to senior police official Dixit Gedam.
•Shahzad allegedly entered Khan’s upscale Bandra apartment, Satguru Sharan, through a fire escape, exploiting his familiarity with the building’s layout.
Timeline of Events
1.Attack in Bandra Apartment:
Around 2 am, Shahzad entered the apartment, initially targeting Jeh Khan’s room, where the intruder was spotted by Jeh’s nurse, Eliyama Philip.
Demanding a ₹1 crore ransom, the attacker injured Philip before Saif Ali Khan intervened. The confrontation escalated, leaving the actor with multiple stab wounds.
2.Suspect’s Escape:
Shahzad fled the scene by scaling an adjacent compound wall and using rear-side stairs to exit.
3.Manhunt and Arrest:
Over 30 police teams were deployed to track the suspect, who was eventually arrested in Thane. Another individual, Aakash Kailash Kannojia, was detained at Chhattisgarh’s Durg railway station but later found to be uninvolved.
Victim’s Recovery and Police Investigation
Saif Ali Khan, who is recovering from surgery, is reported to be in stable condition. His wife, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and their children, Jeh and Taimur, were unharmed. Kapoor requested media and paparazzi to respect the family’s privacy during this challenging time.
Mumbai Police are investigating Shahzad’s connections and motives, including the absence of forced entry and potential insider knowledge. The suspect’s use of the fire escape suggests a well-planned attack.
Community and Industry Reactions
The attack has raised concerns about celebrity safety in Mumbai. Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the incident, questioning Mumbai’s security. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the attack “unfortunate” but assured that Mumbai remains safe.
