Shariful Islam Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national who had illegally entered India and lived under the alias Bijoy Das, was arrested for allegedly breaking into actor Saif Ali Khan’s home and attacking him and his staff during a burglary attempt.
The police formed 30 teams to track down Shehzad after scanning CCTV footage from the Bandra building where Saif Ali Khan, his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan, and their sons reside. They identified Shehzad exiting the building after the attack, which left the actor seriously injured. Police then reviewed several hours of footage city-wide, eventually spotting Shehzad in DN Nagar, Andheri, disembarking a motorcycle, which they traced using its number plate.
Simultaneously, acting on local intelligence, the police focused on renting accommodation in Koliwada, Worli, where Shehzad lived with three others. After questioning the occupants, the police obtained Shehzad’s name, phone number, and location.
Police found Shehzad hiding in a thicket on a deserted road in Thane, surrounded him, and took him into custody without any Indian identification but with evidence confirming his Bangladeshi nationality and illegal entry into India.
Read: Who is Mohammad Shehzad, The Man Who Stabbed Saif Ali Khan
During interrogation, Shehzad claimed he was unaware he was breaking into Saif Ali Khan’s residence. However, the police suspect he planned the burglary due to unemployment and aimed for a substantial theft.
Shehzad told the police he accessed the building via the rear staircase and air-conditioning ducts in his first intrusion. The police are considering reconstructing the crime scene with Shehzad.
Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan is recovering well at Lilavati Hospital after sustaining six stab wounds, one dangerously close to his spine, during the late Wednesday night incident.
What Happened That Night
Eliyama Philip, a nanny for Saif’s sons, reported being the first to spot the intruder. Awakened around 2 AM by noises, she noticed the bathroom door ajar and assumed Kareena was attending to their younger son, Jeh. However, sensing something amiss, she encountered a man emerging from the bathroom and entering Jeh’s room. Confronted by the intruder, Philip was attacked with a wooden stick and a long Hexa blade when she attempted to protect Jeh.
The attacker demanded money, specifying “one crore” when pressed by Philip. Hearing her screams, Saif and Kareena emerged from their room. The intruder then attacked Saif with the same weapons. Saif managed to escape, and the family secured themselves on an upper floor while the intruder fled the scene.
