Mohammad Shariful Islam, the main accused of attacking Saif Ali Khan, urged the court to declare his arrest illegal. The Bangladeshi national, jailed in Mumbai, has withdrawn his bail plea filed earlier in April.
Mumbai: The accused of stabbing actor Saif Ali Khan has filed an application in court seeking to have his arrest declared illegal and requesting his release from jail.
Mohammad Shariful Islam, 30, a Bangladeshi national currently held at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, withdrew his bail plea that he had submitted to a sessions court in April.
Through his lawyer, Ajay Gawli, he later presented a petition to the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Bandra, arguing that his arrest was unlawful because the police did not follow legal procedures during his apprehension.
The court has requested the police to respond to the application and has scheduled the next hearing for May 13.
On January 16, Khan, 54, was stabbed multiple times with a knife by the intruder inside his 12th-floor apartment in the upscale Bandra area. Following the attack, he underwent emergency surgery at a private hospital and was discharged five days later.
The police apprehended Shariful Islam (30) from neighboring Thane on January 19.
They reported to the court last week that a knife fragment lodged near the actor’s spine during the attack, along with another piece found at the crime scene, matched the weapon recovered from the accused.
The police stated that these three fragments were parts of the same weapon used in the assault. They emphasized that the offense was very “serious in nature” and that there is “strong evidence” against the accused while opposing his bail application.
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The incident reportedly occurred in a high-end locality in Mumbai in early January 2025. According to initial reports, Saif Ali Khan was involved in a confrontation with an individual identified as a fan or acquaintance, which escalated into a physical altercation.
The actor, known for maintaining a low profile, was allegedly targeted while exiting a restaurant with friends. Sources claimed that the attacker attempted to engage with Khan for a photograph or conversation, which the actor politely declined.
The situation turned violent shortly thereafter, with the accused reportedly attacking Khan with a blunt object.
Fortunately, Saif Ali Khan did not sustain serious injuries, though the incident left the actor shaken. A case was registered immediately under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including assault, criminal intimidation, and causing hurt.
The chargesheet filing paves the way for the court to take cognizance of the matter and begin the trial proceedings. Saif Ali Khan is expected to cooperate fully during the legal process. The case also raises questions about celebrity security and the growing need for better protection measures, especially in public spaces.