After being on the run for over two days, Mohammad Shariful, the prime suspect in the high-profile Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, was apprehended by the Mumbai Police in the early hours of Sunday. The dramatic capture occurred deep within the mangrove forests of Thane, where Shariful had been hiding to evade arrest. His arrest followed an intense and meticulously conducted manhunt that involved analyzing CCTV footage, tracking financial transactions, and gathering evidence from multiple locations across Mumbai.
Initially, when questioned by the police, Shariful claimed to be a resident of West Bengal. However, his vague and inconsistent responses regarding his place of residence and background raised suspicions. Upon further interrogation, Shariful eventually broke under pressure and confessed to entering India illegally. He revealed that he had crossed the border from Bangladesh into West Bengal roughly seven months ago. Further verification of his identity was made possible after the police insisted he contact his brother, which led to the discovery of his original birth certificate. The document confirmed that Shariful was a native of Jhalokathi district in Bangladesh. Following this revelation, Shariful was formally charged under various sections of the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act for illegal entry and attempting to remain in the country unlawfully.
According to the police, Shariful initially had plans to acquire an Indian passport, which would have allowed him to stay in the country legally. However, he later abandoned this idea and decided to amass wealth through any means necessary before returning to Bangladesh. It was during this time that he set his sights on Saif Ali Khan’s Bandra residence, likely targeting the affluent actor for theft.
Shariful infiltrated Saif’s Bandra home, Satguru Sharan, on January 16 at around 2:30 am. His original intent, as per the police, was to commit theft. However, the situation took a violent turn, resulting in Saif Ali Khan being stabbed six times. After the brutal attack, Shariful fled the scene, leaving behind chaos and a critically injured Saif, who was rushed to the hospital for emergency medical care. The actor underwent two surgeries and remains under observation at Lilavati Hospital, with his condition now reported as stable.
Shariful’s escape after the crime demonstrated a calculated effort to avoid detection. He immediately changed his clothes to alter his appearance and left for Bandra railway station. From there, he made stops at Dadar and Worli before traveling to Thane, where he sought temporary work through a labor contractor. Shariful’s movements were captured on CCTV cameras, which became crucial in piecing together his escape route. The police also identified a Google Pay transaction he made while purchasing breakfast, further narrowing down his location and establishing his trail.
Initially, the investigation faced roadblocks as the police detained several suspects based on preliminary CCTV footage near Saif’s residence, but none of them led to any breakthroughs. Determined to catch the culprit, the police extended their search radius and revisited the footage. This persistence paid off when they identified Shariful crossing Bandra railway station at around 7 am on January 16, wearing a different set of clothes from the night of the incident. This detail suggested his deliberate attempt to conceal his identity and evade capture.
The turning point in the investigation came when the police obtained Shariful’s mobile number from the labor contractor he had approached for work. Using this information, they tracked him to the mangrove forests of Thane, where he had taken refuge to avoid detection. Despite his attempts to remain hidden, Shariful’s arrest was facilitated by consistent surveillance and a thorough analysis of evidence. Notably, he was still carrying the same backpack he had during the night of the attack, a key detail that helped link him to the crime scene.
Shariful has since been remanded to five days of police custody and faces charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 311 (robbery or dacoity with the intent to cause grievous hurt or death) and Section 331(4) (housebreaking), among others. Investigators are now working to determine whether Shariful acted alone or if there are links to a larger criminal network or even an international conspiracy behind the attack.
The police also delve into Shariful’s background to ascertain his motives and understand his activities in the months leading up to the crime. Authorities suspect that his illegal entry into India and subsequent actions may have been part of a larger scheme. While Shariful has confessed to targeting Saif’s residence for financial gain, investigators are not ruling out the possibility of premeditated intent, given the violent nature of the attack.
The incident has not only shaken the Khan family but also raised questions about the security of high-profile individuals in Mumbai. Saif Ali Khan’s wife, Kareena Kapoor Khan, has urged the media to respect their family’s privacy during this challenging time. In a now-deleted social media post, she criticized intrusive coverage by certain outlets, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and compassion. Meanwhile, the police remain committed to delivering justice and ensuring that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined.
