By Aanya Rajput
Mumbai Police have strongly opposed the bail plea of Shariful Islam, the Bangladeshi national accused of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan in January, citing what they describe as “compelling evidence” linking him to the crime.
The Attack and Investigation
The shocking incident took place on January 16, when an intruder allegedly broke into Khan’s 12th-floor Bandra apartment during a suspected robbery attempt and repeatedly stabbed the 54-year-old actor with a knife. One of the blows left a metal fragment lodged dangerously close to his spine.
Khan was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove the knife fragment and was discharged five days later. Police arrested Islam, reportedly residing illegally in India, two days after the attack.
Forensic Evidence Backs Police Case
In its written submission to the sessions court on Thursday (July 24), Mumbai Police cited a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report confirming that the knife fragments recovered from near Khan’s spine and at the crime scene matched the weapon seized from the accused. “These three pieces were part of the same knife used in the attack,” the police said in its statement opposing bail.
Concerns Over Flight Risk
Authorities also argued that releasing Islam on bail could jeopardise the trial. “The accused is a Bangladeshi national living illegally in India. If granted bail, there is a strong possibility he may flee the country and evade court proceedings,” police noted in their response.
The court has reserved its order on the bail plea as the high-profile case continues to attract nationwide attention.
