Mumbai Police have apprehended a suspect, Shariful Islam Shehzad, in connection with the recent attack on Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan.
Authorities initially suspected Shehzad to be a Bangladeshi national, although his lawyer has stated that police lack documentation to substantiate this claim, reports the Anandabazar Patrika.
Indian media reported that Shehzad was presented before the Bandra Holiday Court on Sunday morning, following his arrest earlier that day.
The court has remanded him to five days of police custody.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) Dikshit Gedam detailed the incident, saying, "On the night of 16 October, around 2am, an intruder entered Saif Ali Khan’s residence and attacked him. An FIR was lodged, and the suspect, Shariful Islam Shehzad, aged 30, was arrested. The accused broke into the actor’s house with the intent to rob."
Regarding Shehzad’s nationality, DCP Gedam added, "Preliminary evidence suggests he might be a Bangladeshi citizen, as he lacks valid documents to stay in India. Some documents seized from him point towards this possibility. From our investigation so far, it appears this is his first time entering Saif Ali Khan’s residence."
Dismissing the police's assertion, Shehzad’s lawyer, Dinesh Prajapati, argued, "The evidence presented by the police to seek his custody is insufficient. They have failed to produce any proof that Shehzad is a Bangladeshi citizen. The court has granted five days of police custody."
Another lawyer representing Shehzad, Sandeep Shekhane, stated, "Firstly, Saif Ali Khan has never suggested that any country, including Bangladesh, poses a danger to his life. There are no international cases against him. The police have twisted the narrative. While Shehzad may have previously lived in Bangladesh, he currently does not. The police’s claim that he has been in Mumbai for the past six months is false. His family has been residing in Mumbai for seven years. This investigation lacks proper direction, and there is no evidence proving that Shehzad is a Bangladeshi national."
Responding to questions about the absence of Shehzad’s family in court, the lawyers explained, "They were unable to appear due to pressure but will certainly come when required."
