Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Ramdas Kadam on Friday firmly dismissed all speculations surrounding the recent attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, urging that the case be brought to a close. He praised the Mumbai Police for their swift action and urged opposition leaders to refrain from questioning the police’s credibility.
Speaking to media, Kadam stated,
“The culprit has been arrested and the police have briefed the media about what came in the interrogation. Rest all the speculations that are being made – all are false, and we all should put an end to this case. The police have done commendable work and the opposition must accept this and not malign the image of Mumbai police.”
He also emphasized the challenge faced by law enforcement in catching perpetrators with no criminal record, noting the difficulty in tracing individuals without a clear criminal trail.
Shiv Sena Leader Questions Attack’s Nature
Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam had raised doubts about the attack’s severity, questioning why Saif Ali Khan appeared uninjured just days after the incident. Nirupam suggested that Khan’s family should disclose more details about the attack.
Nirupam criticized the actor’s public appearance after being discharged from the hospital:
“The way Saif came out (of the hospital), it seems as if nothing happened 4 days ago… I want to ask the doctors, can a person whose operation lasted for 6 hours come out in such good shape within 4 days?”
Police Custody Extended for Accused
In the ongoing investigation, the Bandra Magistrate Court extended the police custody of the accused, identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, until January 29. The police had requested more time to investigate the involvement of potential accomplices and to gather further evidence, including conducting a facial recognition match using CCTV footage.
The police had earlier found fingerprints of the accused at Saif Ali Khan’s residence, including on the stairs and doors, which are expected to be significant in solving the case.
Details of the Attack
The attack on Saif Ali Khan took place last week when an intruder entered the actor’s residence with the intention of committing theft. Following a violent confrontation, Khan suffered stab wounds to his thoracic spine and other areas. He was immediately hospitalized at Lilavati Hospital for treatment.
Mumbai Police believe that the fingerprints found at the scene could provide crucial evidence. The suspect was also believed to have attempted theft at three other residences before reaching Saif Ali Khan’s home.
Kareena Kapoor, Saif’s wife, has already given her statement to the police regarding the incident.