Suspect Arrested Near Mumbai After 70-Hour Search for Stabbing Saif Ali Khan
Man Arrested for Attacking Saif Ali Khan
Arrest and Investigation
A man was arrested from Maharashtra’s Thane early this morning for allegedly attacking Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan in his Mumbai residence, the police said. The accused, identified as 30-year-old Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad, was caught near the Hiranandani Estate in Kasarvadavali, about 35 kilometres from Mr Khan’s residence.
Saif Ali Khan suffered multiple stab wounds, including on his neck and near the spine, after the intruder entered his upscale Bandra home and attacked him in the early hours of Thursday.
Identity of the Accused
"Investigation has revealed that he went to Saif’s house with the intention of theft. It seems the accused is a Bangladeshi," senior police official Dixit Gedam said at a press conference after his arrest.
"He does not have any Indian documents. Some things have been recovered from him which show that he is a Bangladeshi," he added.
Details of the Arrested
Mr Gedam said the accused had been living in Mumbai for the past four months and changed his name to Bijoy Das. He used to work at a housekeeping company, the cop said.
Saif Ali Khan was stabbed six times and was rushed to the city’s Lilavati Hospital in an autorickshaw where he underwent emergency surgery. A 2.5-inch piece of the blade was removed from his spine after a five-hour-long surgery. The 54-year-old actor is recovering well, doctors treating him said Friday.
Second Suspect Detained
Earlier Saturday, a suspect – identified as 31-year-old Aakash Kailash Kannojia from Mumbai – was detained at Chhattisgarh’s Durg railway station. Officials said he was "caught from the Mumbai-Howrah Jnaneswari Express on the lead of the Mumbai Police."
Attack at Saif Ali Khan’s Residence
Saif Ali Khan was attacked when he was with his family members – his wife and fellow actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, and their two sons, four-year-old Jeh and eight-year-old Taimur – at his residence in the 12-floor apartment – Satguru Sharan – in Bandra.
Eyewitness Account
Eliyama Philip – a nurse caring for Jeh – and another staffer were also injured in the attack. In a statement to the police, Ms Philip said she was the first to spot the intruder – who was between 35-40 years old – at Mr Khan’s apartment on the 11th floor.
Confrontation with the Intruder
Hearing Eliyama Philip’s scream, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan rushed out of their room. When Mr Khan asked the intruder what he wanted, he attacked him with a wooden object and the hexa blade, Ms Philip said.
Investigation Details
According to police sources, there was no sign of forced entry, nor was anyone captured on CCTV entering the premises in the two hours before the attack. Police sources said the intruder had scaled the wall of an adjacent compound to enter the premises.
Conclusion
Mumbai Police had formed about 30 teams to arrest the accused, who was also captured on CCTV cameras in the building. The investigation is ongoing to gather more information about the motive behind the attack on Saif Ali Khan.