Mumbai Police have arrested Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad, a 30-year-old man of Bangladeshi origin, in connection with the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence. The Bandra Court on Sunday sent Shahzad to police custody for five days as investigations continue into the shocking incident.
Shahzad was apprehended late Saturday, nearly 70 hours after the attack. During the court hearing, his defence lawyer argued that the arrest was illegal due to the absence of prior notice and claimed that Shahzad had been residing in Mumbai for several years with valid documents.
The lawyer further contended that Shahzad was not a habitual offender and was being made a scapegoat because the case involved a Bollywood celebrity. Meanwhile, the investigating officer informed the court of the need to recover a missing part of the knife used in the crime.
Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad’s lawyer, Sandeep Shekhane, has questioned the allegations against his client, stating, “Saif Ali Khan has never made any statement nor expressed any grievances that would suggest he faces threats from any state, including Bangladesh, or any other country. He has no international cases against him. The authorities altered the narrative simply because my client is Bangladeshi.”
Shekhane further argued that the claim about Shehzad’s recent arrival in India is incorrect. “The police allege he has been living here for six months, but this is untrue. He has resided in Mumbai for over seven years, and his family is also based here,” the advocate said.
On the issue of police custody, Shekhane confirmed, “A five-day police custody has been granted, and the court has directed the police to submit a report within this period. However, the police have no evidence proving he is a Bangladeshi national. The investigation has been inadequate, and this is a clear violation of Section 43A.”
Digital Trail Leads to Arrest
Shahzad’s arrest came after an intensive manhunt by Mumbai Police, which involved tracking his movements through digital clues. A breakthrough occurred when police traced a UPI transaction Shahzad made to purchase a mobile cover using Google Pay. This digital trail, combined with CCTV footage from a mobile shop and mobile location tracking, allowed authorities to locate Shahzad at a labour camp in Thane.
Police reports revealed that Shahzad, originally from Nalchity Upazila in Jhalokati district, Bangladesh, entered India illegally and adopted the name Vijay Das. The attack on Khan allegedly occurred during an attempted robbery that escalated into violence, leaving the actor with six stab wounds.
Following the attack, Shahzad fled Bandra and took a train to Dadar, eventually finding temporary shelter in Worli. Upon realizing his image was being circulated on news channels and social media, he moved to mangroves near a labour camp in Kasarwadavli, Thane, where he evaded capture for nearly three days.
Police Investigation
Deputy Commissioner Navnath Dhawale led the investigation, deploying 20 police teams to track Shahzad. The suspect reportedly revealed during interrogation that he had been moving between temporary hideouts in Thane to avoid detection.
The investigating officer also highlighted Shahzad’s failure to disclose the whereabouts of the third part of the knife used in the crime. While two parts have been recovered—one from Khan’s neck and another from the crime scene—the missing piece remains a crucial aspect of the ongoing investigation.
Mumbai Police stated that Shahzad does not have any prior criminal record. However, questions remain about his illegal entry into India and his decision to target Saif Ali Khan’s residence. The police are probing his motive, with initial reports suggesting the attack stemmed from a botched robbery attempt.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to the involvement of a Bollywood celebrity. While Shahzad’s defence continues to claim his innocence and question the legality of the arrest, Mumbai Police are focused on uncovering the full scope of the crime, including Shahzad’s background, motives, and the missing weapon component.
As Shahzad remains in police custody, the investigation is set to delve deeper into the circumstances of his illegal entry, his connections in India, and his actions leading up to and following the attack. The recovery of the missing knife part and further interrogation are expected to provide critical insights into the case.