Saif Ali Khan’s attacker arrested; police suspect he is Bangladeshi

The Mumbai Police on Sunday, January 19, said that a man, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad, has been arrested from Maharashtra's Thane in the Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan attack case, adding that he could be originally from Bangladesh. Dikshit Gedam, DCP, Crime Branch Mumbai, while addressing a press conference here said, "There is primary evidence to anticipate that the accused is a Bangladeshi. He does not have valid Indian documents. Some seizures indicate that he is a Bangladeshi national..."

He said that on January 16, at 2 a.m., actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked at his residence.

"FIR was registered and one accused has been arrested. His name is Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, he is 30 years old. He entered the house with the intention of robbery. He will be produced in the court and custody will be demanded," said the DCP.

He further said, "The accused came to Mumbai 5 to 6 months ago. After that, he started living in various other areas and came to Mumbai 15 days ago. He was using Vijay Das as his current name." 

"He used to work in a housekeeping agency. After entering India illegally he changed his name," the DCP said.

The accused was caught near the Hiranandani Estate in Kasarvadavali, about 35 kilometres from Saif's residence. Initially, he said his name was Vijay Das and later grilling revealed his real name. He had changed his name out of fear of getting caught.

The arrest by the Mumbai Police was made in a joint operation conducted by DCP Zone-6 Navnath Dhavale's team and the Kasarvadavali police at a labour camp near the metro construction site, behind the TCS Call Center in Hiranandani Estate, Thane West.

Actor Saif Ali Khan suffered six stab wounds while struggling with the intruder who broke into his Bandra residence early on Thursday with the intent of robbery.

The attacker had fled the scene. The actor was rushed to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries.

Saif Ali Khan, who was said to be out of danger, is recovering at the hospital.

The prime accused was previously employed at a pub in Mumbai. Now that he has been arrested, police will present before the court later on Sunday for remand, the Mumbai crime branch said. Mumbai Police have said that the accused had multiple names, including Vijay Das, Bijoy Das, and Mohammad Ilyas, media reported.