Actor Saif Ali Khan was brutally attacked at his Bandra home on January 16, 2025, during what police suspect was an attempted burglary. The harrowing incident unfolded around 2:30 AM when Khan heard noises from his 11th-floor apartment and confronted the intruder, identified as Shariful Islam, who allegedly stabbed him six times before fleeing the scene.
Following the attack, Khan was rushed to the hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries. He was discharged on January 21. Mumbai Police quickly launched a manhunt for the attacker after reviewing CCTV footage from the scene. Reports indicate the police apprehended Shariful Islam, who entered India illegally from Bangladesh, near Thane after tracking him down using financial transactions linked to his breakfast purchase.
The forensic investigation took on added significance when the police confirmed through facial recognition technology at Kalina Forensic Lab, on Friday, January 31, 2025, the identity of the attacker as Shariful Islam. A senior police officer stated, "The facial recognition test matched the suspect's face captured on CCTV with his police record, corroborated by strong technical evidence including location data and internet records." This finding was particularly important due to earlier discrepancies concerning fingerprint matching, as initial reports indicated Islam's fingerprints did not correspond with samples retrieved from Khan's residence.
While police were working closely with forensic teams, they also expanded their investigation outside of Mumbai. Efforts included interviewing related persons and performing searches connected to the case. The investigation has reached West Bengal, where authorities questioned a woman linked to the SIM card used by the suspect, indicating the complex web of the case's dynamics.
Saif Ali Khan recounted the terrifying experience to police, detailing how he trailed the noises to find his caretaker confronting the intruder. "The stranger started stabbing me. I managed to overpower the attacker and lock him inside the room," he shared. His testimonial paints a vivid picture of the fear he and his family endured during the ordeal, particularly for his children who witnessed the violence. The star's family has since requested heightened security, evidenced by increased police presence around his residence and appeals to the media to refrain from photographing his children.
Despite the police department's clarity on the evidence leading to Islam’s arrest, doubts have been raised about the investigation's validity. Islam’s father publicly claimed his son was being framed and expressed plans to seek intervention from the Indian High Commission, reflecting the familial distress surrounding the allegations.
Legal proceedings are underway as the accused was placed under 14-day judicial custody following his arrest. A court hearing revealed no new grounds for extending his remand, though police may seek fresh custody should new evidence arise. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police continue combing through various leads and refining their forensic evidence to bolster their case against Islam.
Overall, as the investigation progresses, the combination of advanced technology, eyewitness accounts, and community engagement highlights both the challenges and efforts of the Mumbai Police to seek justice for the high-profile attack on Saif Ali Khan.