Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. - Photo: Instagram
MUMBAI (Agencies): Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan left a hospital in India's financial capital Mumbai on Tuesday (Jan 21), less than a week after he suffered knife injuries in a scuffle with an intruder at his house, local media reported.
Khan, 54, was stabbed six times by the intruder during an attempted burglary at his home after midnight on Thursday. He had surgery after sustaining stab wounds to his spine, neck and hands, doctors said.
Khan was discharged from hospital on Tuesday afternoon. He smiled at TV cameras from his car and waved his bandaged hand.
On Sunday, police arrested a man, thought to be a citizen of Bangladesh, in connection with the attack and were continuing to investigate the crime.
The suspect, arrested on the outskirts of Mumbai, was using the name Vijay Das, but is believed to be Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, who was working with a housekeeping agency after having come to the city five or six months ago, Dikshit Gedam, a deputy commissioner of police, told a press conference.
The attack on Khan shocked residents of Mumbai as well as fellow Bollywood actors, especially because it took place in an upscale neighbourhood of the city, in an apartment block that is strictly guarded.
The Statesman reported that following the attack, security measures at Saif’s Bandra residence were enhanced.
CCTV cameras are being installed to ensure the safety of the actor and his family. Footage has shown technicians working to mount cameras on the balcony and ceiling of the property.
The Mumbai Police have arrested the accused, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a native of the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh.
Authorities revealed that the suspect had planned to flee to his hometown but was apprehended at Hiranandani Estate in Thane on Feb 19.
He has been remanded to five days of police custody by the Bandra Holiday Court.
Investigators have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including those pertaining to theft and grievous injury.
To reconstruct the sequence of events, police officials conducted a crime scene recreation on Tuesday morning.
The accused was taken to Saif’s residence, the National College bus stop, and a railway station as part of the investigation before being brought back to the Bandra Police Station.
The attack reportedly occurred around 2am when the intruder entered Saif’s home with the intent to steal. During the altercation, Saif intervened to protect his staff, resulting in the injuries that required immediate medical attention.
The shocking incident unfolded when an intruder broke into Saif’s home with the alleged intent of theft.
In a moment of crisis, the female staff at Saif’s residence stepped up to protect him and his family, earning heartfelt praise from Saif’s sister, Saba Pataudi.
Taking to Instagram, Saba expressed her gratitude, calling the staff “unsung heroes” for their bravery.
“Bless you both and all those who contributed to keeping my brother and his family safe! You are the BEST,” she wrote, sharing a photo with the courageous team, including domestic help Eliyama Philip.
The situation took a grim turn when Saif suffered stab wounds to his back. An auto-rickshaw driver, Rana, played a crucial role in getting the actor to the hospital in time.
Speaking to ANI, Rana recounted how he noticed a woman desperately trying to hail an auto around 2am.
“I took a U-turn and stopped near the gate. A man covered in blood, along with others, got into my auto. I rushed them to Lilavati Hospital. Later, I realised it was Saif Ali Khan,” he said.
The police acted swiftly, forming 20 teams to investigate the case.
They tracked the accused to Hiranandani Estate in Thane, where he was apprehended while attempting to flee to his native village in Bangladesh’s Jhalokati district.
A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). - Agencies
