Mumbai Police conducted an identification parade for Shariful Islam Shehzad, the prime accused in the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan.
The procedure took place at Arthur Road Jail on Wednesday in the presence of a Tehsildar and followed court approval.
According to officials, multiple witnesses identified Shehzad during the parade. The police claim to have substantial evidence, including CCTV footage and a facial recognition test that confirmed Shehzad’s identity as the intruder.
The incident occurred last month when an unidentified man entered Saif Ali Khan’s Bandra residence, allegedly with the intent to commit theft. The situation escalated into a violent confrontation, during which the actor suffered stab wounds to his thoracic spine and other areas. He was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital for medical treatment.
On January 31, Mumbai Police conducted a facial recognition test on Shehzad. "The arrested accused, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, tested positive. The test confirmed that the individual seen in the CCTV footage is indeed the same person," a police spokesperson said.
The police further revealed that Shehzad, originally from Bangladesh, had entered India illegally and lived in different locations across Kolkata before arriving in Mumbai. Authorities believe he was planning to flee to Bangladesh but was apprehended in Thane’s Hiranandani Estate before he could escape.
Amid speculations regarding fingerprint mismatches, Additional Commissioner of Police Paramjit Singh Dahiya dismissed such claims, stating, “Whenever an accused is arrested, we collect multiple pieces of evidence. We have substantial oral, physical, and technical proof against him. There is no doubt that we have arrested the right person.”
Meanwhile, Shehzad’s advocate, Sandeep Shekhane, has refuted the police’s version of events, alleging flaws in the investigation. "The police claim he is a Bangladeshi national who entered India six months ago, but that is incorrect. He has been residing in Mumbai for over seven years, with his family here. This is a violation of legal procedures, and no proper investigation has been conducted," Shekhane argued.
Shehzad has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 311, 312, 331(4), 331(6), and 331(7). He is currently in police custody for five days, with authorities expected to submit a detailed report on the case.
Saif Ali Khan, who underwent surgery following the attack, was discharged from Lilavati Hospital on January 21. Upon returning home, he briefly interacted with the media before resuming his recovery.