Md Ruhul Amin Fakir, the father of Mohammed Shariful Islam—the man accused of attacking Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan—has spoken out in defence of his son, insisting that he has been wrongfully implicated in the case. According to reports, Fakir believes his son is innocent and questions the allegations made against him.
Questioning the CCTV Footage Evidence
A major point of contention for Fakir is the CCTV footage obtained from the 6th floor of Saif Ali Khan’s Bandra residence, which captured the attacker fleeing the scene after the stabbing incident. Fakir asserts that the individual seen in the footage does not resemble his son. “From what is shown in the CCTV… my son never keeps his hair long. I believe my son is being framed,” he said, suggesting that authorities may have mistaken Shariful for someone else.
Migrants Seeking Better Opportunities
Shariful, originally from Bangladesh, moved to India seeking better job opportunities due to the political unrest in his home country. His father explained that the primary reason for his move was to escape instability and secure a better livelihood. “He left Bangladesh and came to India for one reason—the political unrest in Bangladesh. He was working where he received a salary, and his employer even rewarded him,” Fakir stated.
He further elaborated on his son’s career in India, emphasising the financial benefits of working in Mumbai’s hospitality sector. “The salary in Mumbai’s hotels is higher than in West Bengal. The hotels there are quite large, and the salary is also higher,” he noted, portraying Shariful as a hardworking individual simply striving for a better future.
Despite the serious accusations against Shariful, Fakir revealed that he has not been contacted by law enforcement. He expressed his family’s growing concern over the lack of communication. “No, nothing like that has happened. No one has come from anywhere. We don’t know anyone in India. We have no support in India,” he said.
This silence from the authorities has left the family in the dark about Shariful’s situation and legal standing, adding to their distress.
Last Conversation with His Son
Reflecting on his last communication with Shariful, Fakir recalled their regular exchanges. He mentioned that his son typically reached out after receiving his monthly salary. “My last conversation with my son was on a Friday evening. He used to get his salary after the 10th of every month… After that, he would talk to me,” Fakir shared.
As the investigation into the attack continues, Fakir remains hopeful that his son’s innocence will be proven. He has urged the authorities to conduct a fair inquiry and consider the possibility that Shariful is being framed. The family, meanwhile, remains anxious and uncertain about what lies ahead.
Saif Ali Khan recorded his statement with the Bandra police on Thursday. He recounted that he and his wife, Kareena Kapoor Khan, were in their bedroom when they heard their younger son Jehangir’s (Jeh) nanny, Eliyama Philips, scream.
Rushing to Jeh’s room, they found the attacker inside. While the nanny screamed in fear and Jeh cried, Khan confronted the intruder and was stabbed multiple times on his back, neck, and hands. Despite his injuries, Khan managed to push the assailant into the room, allowing Philips to escape with Jeh and lock the attacker inside. The family, including their elder son Taimur, was present when the intruder, reportedly attempting a burglary, entered their apartment. According to Philips, the assailant demanded Rs one crore before being subdued.