Saif Ali Khan Attack: 'The police have no proof that he is a Bangladeshi,' claims accused's advocate

Shortly after Shehzad’s arrest from Hiranandani Estate in Thane, police stated that he had entered India from Bangladesh six months ago.

The lawyer for Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, the accused in the stabbing attack on Saif Ali Khan, has contested police claims that Shehzad is a Bangladeshi national. Advocate Sandeep Shekhane has asserted that there is no evidence to support these allegations, emphasising that his client has been residing in Mumbai for over seven years.

Shortly after Shehzad’s arrest from Hiranandani Estate in Thane, police stated that he had entered India from Bangladesh six months ago. However, Shekhane has refuted this, describing it as a baseless claim. “The police have no proof that he is a Bangladeshi. This is a clear-cut violation of 43A. No proper investigation has been done..." Shekhane stated.

#WATCH | Saif Ali Khan attack case | Accused Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad's advocate Sandeep Shekhane says, "A police custody for 5 days has been granted. The court has asked the police to submit a report within 5 days. The police have no proof that he is a Bangladeshi. They pic.twitter.com/hpSIp3AuKP
ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025

Advocate Dinesh Prajapati, also representing Shehzad, added, “Nothing has been recovered from him (Accused Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad). They (Police) have not produced any document proving that he is a Bangladeshi national.”

#WATCH | | Saif Ali Khan attack case | Accused Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad's advocate Dinesh Prajapati says, "The police demanded police custody and the grounds given by the police for the police custody are not sufficient...We have given in his (accused) defence that nothing pic.twitter.com/frWSyB3iwT ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025

The defense has also raised concerns about procedural lapses in the case. Shekhane noted, “There are lapses, the notice was not complied as per the guidelines of the SC. Police custody was given. There is no mention of threatening of life, murder in remand copy, FIR copy. Despite that, sections will be implicated. There was no intention of murder. He has been residing in India for many years. He has certain documents to show, it will come. I will present at the time of bail application. He is frightened. The police custody should not have been given. He has been made scapegoat, let police present their versions, we will present proof.”

VIDEO | Attack on Saif Ali Khan: Counsel of accused Sandeep Sherkhane says, "There are lapses, the notice was not complied as per the guidelines of the SC. Police custody was given. There is no mention of threatening of life, murder in remand copy, FIR copy. Despite that, pic.twitter.com/Ya3uf3L89y
Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 19, 2025

Shehzad, 30, allegedly broke into Saif Ali Khan’s Bandra residence in the early hours of Thursday and attacked him with a knife, causing injuries to his neck and near the spine. The actor was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent emergency treatment and is now in stable condition.

Also read: Saif Ali Khan Attack: Bangladeshi national sent to 5 days police custody for Saif Ali Khan Attack; international conspiracy suspected

The police have begun investigating whether the attack was premeditated and are probing possible accomplices. They have stated that Shehzad’s interrogation will be crucial in uncovering the motive behind the attack.

Despite the defence’s arguments, the court granted police custody for five days, citing the need for further investigation. Authorities aim to clarify Shehzad’s background, the method of his entry into India, and whether he acted alone or was part of a larger international conspiracy.