Cops Claim Saif's Attacker Is Bangladeshi, Changed Identity After Coming To India

MUMBAI: Mumbai Police have arrested a man allegedly involved in the attempted burglary and stabbing of actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence on Wednesday night. The suspect, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, is a Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally and had been residing in Mumbai for several months, according to police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Dixit Gedam informed the media that the investigation revealed Shehzad's illegal entry into India and his use of a false identity, Bijoy Das. "We suspect he is from Bangladesh. He does not have any Indian documents, and we have added Passport Act charges to the case," Gedam said. The suspect allegedly entered Khan’s home to rob the actor.

Police have recovered evidence indicating his Bangladeshi origins. "He came to India illegally and had been living in Mumbai for about four months, working at a housekeeping agency," Gedam added. The accused was apprehended in Thane and is currently under questioning.

The intruder gained access to Saif Ali Khan’s home through a fire exit. Upon being spotted by the maid, the intruder attacked the actor. "The robber asked for money, and when he was opposed, he attacked the maid Junu and Saif Ali Khan and injured them," the police statement said. The actor was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where doctors confirmed he is recovering well.

According to Eliyama Philip, a nanny who works for Saif’s children, she was the first to spot the intruder. In her statement to the police, Philip recalled waking up around 2 am after hearing noises. She thought Kareena Kapoor Khan was checking on their son Jahangir but soon realized something was wrong. "I saw a man come out of the bathroom and go into the boy's room. The attacker then put his finger near his mouth and said 'Don't make any noise, nobody will go out' in Hindi," Philip explained.

Philip said she rushed to Jeh’s room to protect him but was attacked with a wooden stick and a Hexa blade. "I tried to block the attack, but the blade hit me near my wrists and my left middle finger," she added. The intruder demanded money, saying, "I want one crore," Philip recalled.

Hearing Philip’s screams, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan rushed out of their room. When Khan confronted the intruder, he was attacked with both the wooden object and the Hexa blade. "Saif Sir somehow managed to get away from him, and we all ran out of the room and pulled the door of the room," Philip said. The intruder then fled the scene.

The incident has shocked the nation and raised concerns about safety in Mumbai, with politicians and members of the film industry questioning the law and order situation. The opposition, in particular, has raised questions about the safety of ordinary citizens if celebrities like Khan can be attacked.

In response to criticism, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "Among all the megacities in the country, Mumbai is the safest. It is true that some incidents take place sometimes and they should be treated with seriousness but to say, based on one incident, that Mumbai is unsafe would not be correct. This tarnishes Mumbai's image. But the government is working to make Mumbai even safer."

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