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Saif Ali Khan Attack: Police Reveals Attacker's Bangladeshi Nationality

On January 16, Saif Ali Khan was attacked and stabbed multiple times during an attempted robbery at his Bandra residence. He is currently receiving medical care at Lilavati Hospital. In a major breakthrough, Mumbai police arrested the suspect, Mohammed Shehzad, early on Sunday morning in Thane. Authorities revealed that Shehzad, a Bangladeshi citizen, had entered India illegally. Here’s how the Mumbai police identified the Bangladeshi national behind the assault. The suspect in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, was apprehended deep in the mangrove forests of Thane during the early hours of Sunday, according to a report by India Today. When interrogated by the police, Shariful claimed to be from West Bengal but was unable to provide any concrete details about his place of residence. His vague answers raised suspicion, leading authorities to believe that he had illegally entered India from Bangladesh. These suspicions were confirmed when Shariful eventually admitted to crossing the border illegally seven months ago. Further investigation revealed his original birth certificate, which showed that he was from Jhalokathi district in Bangladesh. The police obtained the certificate after Shariful contacted his brother. As a result, Shariful was charged under the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act. According to the police, Shariful initially contemplated acquiring an Indian passport but later abandoned the plan. He confessed to seeking ways to earn money before planning to return to Bangladesh. The police had initially detained several individuals based on CCTV footage from near Saif Ali Khan's residence, but no major leads emerged. Upon revisiting the footage, they identified Shariful crossing Bandra railway station at around 7 a.m. on January 16, dressed in different clothing. Shariful, who worked at a pub in Worli, had approached a labor contractor in the area for work before heading to Thane. Although he took measures to avoid being caught, Shariful was eventually tracked down due to a backpack he carried the night of the attack. The police also used CCTV footage and a Google Pay transaction where he purchased breakfast, helping to narrow down his location and leading to his arrest. Further investigation into his whereabouts, tracing his mobile number through the contractor, ultimately led the police to the dense mangrove forests in Thane. Authorities later confirmed that Shariful had entered Saif’s Bandra home around 2:30 a.m. on January 16, with the intent to rob. The accused has been remanded to five-day police custody and faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sections 311 (robbery or dacoity with intent to cause grievous harm or death), 331(4) (housebreaking), and other related offenses. In response, the defense lawyer contested the claims regarding Shariful’s nationality, asserting that he had been living in Mumbai with his family for over seven years and disputing the allegation that he had recently entered India from Bangladesh. Authorities later revealed that he had an unexpected background as a national-level wrestler from Bangladesh. During questioning, Shehzad admitted to his wrestling experience, which investigators believe may have contributed to his strength in overpowering Saif and others during the attack. Further investigations revealed that Shehzad had been involved in a separate robbery months earlier, while working at a pub in Worli. He was accused of stealing a diamond ring before being dismissed. Afterward, he briefly worked at a restaurant in Thane until December 2024. READ MORE -  Watch: Saif Ali Khan Discharged From The Hospital After 5 Days Of The Attack!