Saif Ali Khan attack case: Accused is from Bangladesh, worked at a Mumbai pub

The accused had been employed as housekeeping staff at Ricky’s bar in Thane, using the alias Vijay Das to conceal his identity.

The Mumbai Police, on Sunday morning, announced the arrest of a 30-year-old Bangladeshi national accused of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday and left the actor hospitalised.

According to a senior police official, the accused, identified as Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir, had changed his name to Vijay Das after illegally entering India.

Addressing reporters during a press meet on Sunday, DCP Zone 9 Dixit Gedam noted, "We have doubts that the accused is of Bangladeshi origin and that is why relevant sections of the Passport Act have been added to the case..."

"There is primary evidence to anticipate that the accused is a Bangladeshi. He does not have valid Indian documents. There are some seizures that indicate that he is a Bangladeshi national...As of now, we think that the accused has entered the residence (of Saif Ali Khan) for the first time", Gedam further stated.

The accused had been employed as housekeeping staff at Ricky’s bar in Thane, using the alias Vijay Das to conceal his identity. The attacker, a native of Jhalokati, Bangladesh, had been living in Mumbai for over five months, working odd jobs. He was arrested in Hiranandani Estate on Ghodbandar Road in Thane district.

"Prima facie the accused is a Bangladeshi and after entering India illegally he changed his name. He was using Vijay Das as his current name. He came to Mumbai 5-6 months ago. He stayed in Mumbai for a few days and then in the vicinity of Mumbai. The accused used to work in a housekeeping agency," said the DCP.

Preliminary investigations suggest the attack was not targeted, as the intruder was allegedly unaware he had entered the residence of a Bollywood star. The man’s intention, police believe, was theft.

"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. Further investigation will take place later... We doubt he is of Bangladeshi origin...", added the DCP.

Authorities are investigating how the accused entered India and are working to collect the documents he may have used to cross the border.

The incident unfolded at around 2:30 am inside Khan’s 12th-floor apartment in the upscale 'Satguru Sharan' building. The intruder allegedly stabbed the 54-year-old actor multiple times. Khan underwent emergency surgery at Lilavati Hospital and is now recovering, with doctors indicating he may be discharged soon.