Saif Ali Khan Attack: Accused Surveyed Shah Rukh & Salman's Homes before Choosing Actor’s Residence

The man accused of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan six times has been arrested after a manhunt that spanned three days. Mohammad Islam Shehzad, who had allegedly planned to rob the actor’s residence and hold his family hostage, was apprehended while hiding in a forest near a labor camp in Thane district.  

According to sources, Shehzad had conducted reconnaissance of several celebrity homes, including those of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, in the Bandra West area a day before the incident. Traveling in an auto-rickshaw, he was reportedly guided by the driver, who pointed out the residences of various high-profile Bollywood figures. Despite scoping out multiple locations, Shehzad ultimately chose Saif Ali Khan’s house due to its accessibility.

The accused, who had been on the run after the stabbing, moved between various locations in Mumbai and Thane, making it difficult for police to trace his whereabouts. More than 700 CCTV cameras were reviewed by investigators to track him down. The breakthrough came when police identified Shehzad’s mobile number through a GPay transaction and traced it to a room at a labor camp in Thane. Upon arrival, police were informed that Shehzad had fled into a nearby forest to evade capture.

A search of the forest area led to his eventual arrest, where he had been hiding in a tree. During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused had gone to Saif Ali Khan’s house with the intention of stealing money to fund the creation of an illegal passport. His plan was to hold Saif’s young son, Jehangir, and wife Kareena Kapoor hostage to demand a ransom.

However, things took a violent turn when Shehzad, finding himself cornered by the family and their caretakers, panicked and attacked Saif with a knife. The weapon broke into three pieces during the scuffle. Shehzad managed to flee the scene but was later captured after an extensive investigation.

The accused’s phone was recovered from the labor camp. Authorities are also probing any possible international links and whether other individuals were involved in the crime. A part of the knife and the accused’s clothes remain missing, adding further complexity to the case.

The public prosecutor informed the court that Shehzad was aware of the celebrity status of his target and had planned the attack with criminal intent. The police have been granted custody of Shehzad for five days, until January 24, as investigations continue.