Bondi Beach shooting: Hyderabad family of attacker Sajid says it cut ties after he married a Christian

Family members of the two men accused of carrying out the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Australia have publicly distanced themselves from the attackers, saying they cut all ties with them years ago. Relatives in Hyderabad told Indian media outlets that the family had no contact with Sajid Akram for decades, citing personal and social reasons.

According to reports by The Print and The News Minute, members of the Akram family in Old Hyderabad city said they severed relations with Sajid Akram after he married a Christian woman, a decision that reportedly led to a complete breakdown of family ties.

Sajid Akram, along with his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, is accused of carrying out what Australian authorities have described as the country’s worst terror attack in nearly 30 years. The father son duo opened fire on a Jewish gathering celebrating Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 15 civilians. Among the victims were a 10 year old girl and an 87 year old Holocaust survivor.

Sajid Akram was shot dead by police during the assault, while Naveed Akram was critically injured and hospitalised. Australian authorities have confirmed that the attack is being investigated as a terrorist incident.

Telangana Police have also confirmed that Sajid Akram originally hailed from Hyderabad. While Sajid reportedly used an Indian passport to travel to the Philippines just weeks before the attack, Naveed travelled on Australian documents.

Sajid Akram migrated to Australia from India in 1998, while his son was born there, The Print reported. Despite having family in India, his contact with them was minimal. Sources told The Print that Sajid visited India at least three times in the last 27 years, with his most recent trip taking place in 2022.

“He hailed from Old Hyderabad city and still has family, including two brothers, here,” a source told the publication. The same source said Sajid did not return to India even when his father passed away in 2009.

Speaking to The News Minute, Sajid’s brother confirmed that the family had long disowned him. He said Sajid moved to Australia more than 25 years ago and later married a Christian woman, after which all communication was cut off.

The brother added that Sajid showed no concern for family members in India, including their elderly mother. He told the outlet that Sajid “didn’t even enquire about their octogenarian mother” when she was unwell.

Family members stressed that they had no role or knowledge of Sajid or Naveed Akram’s actions and had remained disconnected from them for years.