Indian police change stance on Saif Ali Khan’s attacker’s identity

Indian police have changed their statement regarding the identity of the man accused of attacking Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan with a knife.

The suspect, initially identified as 31-year-old Akash Kanojia, was arrested while traveling on a train from Chhattisgarh to Mumbai.

However, fresh reports from Indian media now claim that the suspect is actually a Bangladeshi national named Mohammad Sharif Islam.

Following the attack, Indian media had first reported the suspect as a Hindu man named Akash Kanojia.

However, according to new police claims, he is allegedly a 'Bangladeshi Muslim' who had entered India illegally and used multiple identities, including Bijoy Das, Vijay Das, Mohammad Ilyas, and BJ.

Police sources state that the suspect worked with a housekeeping agency in Thane and was arrested near a metro construction site in Hiranandani Estate.

Reports suggest he had been working in various locations in Mumbai and Thane for the past seven to eight months.

Authorities further claim that after attacking Saif Ali Khan, the suspect switched off his phone and changed locations while staying updated through news reports.

Previously, the first photo and footage of the suspect believed to have entered Saif Ali Khan’s house in Bandra and attacked him have surfaced as the actor was reportedly stabbed six times, sustaining injuries to his hand, neck, and spine.

The suspect entered the compound next to Khan's building and scaled a wall to gain access. He then used the stairs in the rear to climb up to the floors housing Khan's apartment and entered through a fire escape.

The suspect was captured on CCTV at 2:33 am on Thursday in the stairwell of Khan's building. The photo shows him dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, carrying a backpack and what appears to be an orange scarf on his shoulder.

The video footage shows him walking down the stairs and looking straight at the camera at the point.

Khan's house help, Eliyama Phillipes alias Lima, spotted the suspect and alerted Khan, who confronted the intruder and tried to fight him off. The suspect stabbed Khan six times, causing injuries to his left hand, neck, and spine. Two other house helps were also injured in the attack.

Khan was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to remove the knife lodged in his spine. Doctors reported that he is stable and out of danger.