Summary:
- Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed during a burglary attempt at his Mumbai residence on January 16, sustaining six stab wounds but is now recovering.
- The attacker, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi national, was arrested in Thane after an extensive manhunt by Mumbai Police.
- Shehzad entered India illegally, lived under fake identities, and confessed to breaking into Khan’s home intending to commit theft.
- The incident has raised concerns about security in Mumbai, with investigations ongoing into Shehzad’s illegal entry and activities.
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, 54, was stabbed multiple times during a burglary attempt at his Bandra residence in the early hours of January 16. The Mumbai Police have arrested the suspect, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi national who had entered India illegally. The incident has sent shockwaves across the nation, raising concerns about security in India’s financial capital.
The attack occurred around 2:00 AM when Shehzad reportedly broke into Khan’s upscale apartment with the intent to commit robbery. According to police reports, the intruder initially confronted the family’s maid before being confronted by Khan himself. The altercation turned violent, leaving the actor with six stab wounds, including injuries near his spine. Despite the severity of his injuries, Khan was rushed to Lilavati Hospital by his son Ibrahim in an autorickshaw. Doctors successfully performed surgery to remove a 2.5-inch blade and have confirmed that Khan is now out of danger and recovering well.
The Mumbai Police launched an extensive manhunt involving over 20 teams to track down the assailant. Shehzad was apprehended early Sunday morning from a labor camp near Hiranandani Estate in Thane, approximately 35 kilometers from the crime scene. Authorities revealed that Shehzad had been living in Mumbai for five to six months under various aliases, including Vijay Das and Bijoy Das, while working for a housekeeping agency. He had re-entered Mumbai just two weeks prior to the attack.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Dixit Gedam stated during a press briefing that “Prima facie evidence suggests that the accused is a Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally and changed his identity to conceal his origins.” Relevant sections under the Indian Passport Act have been added to the case against him.
The police investigation uncovered that Shehzad had no prior criminal record but had used multiple identities to evade detection. He confessed to entering Khan’s residence through a fire exit and targeting the home for theft without knowing it belonged to the actor. A portion of the knife used in the attack was recovered from the scene.
Khan’s wife, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, and other family members were present during the incident but were unharmed. Kapoor provided her statement to authorities on Saturday, describing how the intruder became aggressive during the confrontation but did not steal any valuables.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for improved security measures in Mumbai. Prominent figures from Bollywood and political circles have expressed their concern over safety in the city. Opposition leaders have criticized local authorities for failing to prevent such attacks even in high-security neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan continues to recover under medical supervision and is expected to be discharged within two to three days. Fans and well-wishers have flooded social media with messages of support for the actor and his family.
The case remains under investigation as police work to gather more evidence about Shehzad’s illegal entry into India and any potential accomplices. Authorities are also examining how he managed to evade detection for months while living and working in Mumbai.
This high-profile incident has reignited debates about urban safety and border security, highlighting vulnerabilities that need urgent attention from law enforcement agencies.
