Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan’s attacker has been identified as Shariful Islam Shahzad, a Bangladeshi national who claims to be a wrestler. In a shocking revelation, the accused confessed to his crime during police interrogation and disclosed intriguing details about his past.
A National Wrestler Turned Attacker
According to police reports, Shahzad admitted that he had been a wrestler in Bangladesh, competing in low-weight categories at both district and national levels. He used his wrestling experience to overpower Saif Ali Khan despite the actor’s well-built physique.
Illegal Entry into India and Intent to Rob
Authorities revealed that Shahzad is an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. He reportedly entered Saif’s residence with the intent to rob, which ultimately led to the attack on the actor.
#WATCH | Saif Ali Khan Attack case | Mumbai: DCP Zone 9 Dixit Gedam says, "Prima facie the accused is a Bangladeshi and after entering India illegally he changed his name. He was using Vijay Das as his current name. He came to Mumbai 5-6 months ago. He stayed in Mumbai for a few… pic.twitter.com/r08nkk6ott
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025How Police Tracked the Accused
Mumbai Police shared an unusual lead that helped them trace the suspect. Shahzad’s location was pinpointed through a UPI transaction made via Google Pay at a food stall near Century Mills, Worli. The payment was for parathas and bottled water, which led the police to arrest him three days later.
A Familiar Face at Saif’s Home
Investigations uncovered that Shahzad was not a stranger to Saif Ali Khan’s residence. He had previously worked as a cleaner at the actor’s home through a housekeeping agency. This arrangement was facilitated by Saif’s assistant, Hari.
Multiple Identities and Deceptive Past
The accused is known to have used several aliases, including Vijay Das, Vijay Ilyas, and BJ. His habit of frequently changing names added complexity to the case.