The Mumbai Police are opposing the bail application of Mohammad Shariful Islam, the Bangladeshi national accused of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his residence in January 2025. The police have informed the court that releasing Islam on bail carries a significant risk of him fleeing the country, given his illegal residency status in India.
According to officials, Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir (30) alias Vijay Das was arrested two days after the incident for allegedly stabbing the actor and is currently in judicial custody. The police claim to have solid evidence against the accused and have appealed to the court to deny his bail request. The court is expected to hear the bail plea the following week.
The police, in their written response to the accused's bail petition submitted to the sessions court on Thursday, July 24, stated that knife fragments found lodged near Khan's spine during the attack, as well as a part found at the crime spot, matched the weapon recovered from Islam. They cited a Forensic Science Laboratory report to support this claim. The police stated that these three pieces belonged to the same knife used to attack the actor.
Khan was attacked on January 16, 2025, in his 12th-floor apartment in Bandra, Mumbai. The intruder allegedly entered his home intending to commit theft. During a confrontation, Khan sustained multiple stab wounds and was rushed to Lilavati Hospital for immediate treatment. He underwent surgery to remove a piece of the knife that had lodged near his spine. The actor was discharged from the hospital after five days.
Two staffers at Khan's residence identified Shariful Fakir as the attacker during an identification parade held at Arthur Road Jail on February 5, 2025. Staff nurse Ariyama Philip (56) and househelp Junu, who were present inside Saif's residence during the attack, participated in identifying the accused. The police also stated they have strong evidence linking him to the crime, including CCTV footage and a positive facial recognition test. The prosecution claimed that fingerprints collected from the actor's house matched Fakir's. Besides, the officials said that the 'incriminating' CCTV footage showing him in the vicinity of Khan's house and the visuals captured after the crime were sent for facial recognition.
In his bail plea, filed through advocate Vipul Dushing, Islam claimed innocence and stated that he has no prior criminal record. He argued that the case against him is a fabricated story. The plea also mentioned that crucial evidence, such as CCTV footage and call records, is already with the prosecution, and there is no threat of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses. Islam's lawyers, advocate Vipul Dushing and advocate Ajay Gawli, stated in the petition that he has been in jail since January and that there is no chance of the trial concluding soon, considering the pendency of cases.
The police, however, maintain that the crime committed by Islam is of a "very serious nature" and that "strong evidence" is available against him. They highlighted that Islam is a Bangladeshi citizen residing illegally in India, increasing the risk of him fleeing the country if granted bail. The investigation into the stabbing incident is nearing completion, with only the charge sheet remaining to be filed. Islam has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to house trespass, robbery, and dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous injury.
