Unusual scenes unfolded in a Mumbai court on Sunday when a dispute broke out between two lawyers over who would represent Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, the man accused of attacking Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. The incident took place in the Bandra metropolitan magistrate court after Shehzad was arrested for allegedly sneaking into Khan’s Bandra apartment with the intention of theft and repeatedly stabbing him.
Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad’s Arrest
On Sunday morning, the Mumbai police arrested Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a suspected Bangladeshi national, from Thane city in connection with the January 16 attack on Saif Ali Khan. Shehzad was apprehended after several misidentifications of individuals resembling him were made based on CCTV footage from the actor’s building. The police had been on high alert, and after an extensive investigation, Shehzad was identified as the attacker.
According to reports, Shehzad had allegedly broken into Khan’s apartment in the early hours of January 16 with the intent to steal. During the confrontation, he attacked Khan with a knife, stabbing him multiple times. The actor was rushed to Lilavati Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Fortunately, doctors have confirmed that Khan is recovering and is expected to be discharged soon.
Court Appearance and Legal Drama
Shehzad was presented before the magistrate in the Bandra court in the afternoon, amid heavy police presence. After the court questioned him about whether he had any complaints against the police, Shehzad responded negatively. Following the routine procedures, Shehzad was taken to the accused’s box in the courtroom.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when two lawyers began jostling to represent Shehzad. The first lawyer stepped forward to obtain Shehzad’s signature on the ‘vakalatnama’ (the legal document authorizing a lawyer to represent the accused). Before this could be completed, a second lawyer barged into the scene and quickly took Shehzad’s signature on his vakalatnama, sparking confusion over who would be the official legal representative.
To bring the situation under control, the magistrate suggested that both lawyers could represent Shehzad in the case. “You both can appear,” the magistrate said, which led to both lawyers agreeing to jointly represent the accused. The brief legal impasse was resolved, allowing the proceedings to continue.
Shehzad’s Police Custody
Following the court proceedings, Shehzad was remanded to police custody for five days. The police are continuing their investigation into the case, including probing his background and activities in Mumbai. It has been revealed that Shehzad hails from Jhalokathi district in Bangladesh’s Barisal division. He had been in Mumbai for the past five months, working in various petty jobs, including at a housekeeping agency.
The attack on Saif Ali Khan shocked the nation, as the actor was repeatedly stabbed inside his 12th-floor apartment in the upscale ‘Satguru Sharan’ building in Bandra. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on January 16, leaving Khan with multiple stab wounds. He was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital for surgery. The attack has left fans and the public in disbelief, and the authorities are working to uncover the full motive behind the assault.
With the court proceedings continuing and the investigation ongoing, the case of Saif Ali Khan’s attack remains high-profile, capturing the attention of both the media and the public.