Amid rising political tensions in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has addressed the recent controversy surrounding law and order in Mumbai following an attack on actor Saif Ali Khan. The opposition has been critical of the government's handling of the incident, but Pawar firmly refuted claims of administrative failure, attributing the crime to a Bangladeshi migrant.

Speaking at a press conference, Pawar stated, "The accused had migrated from Bangladesh. Initially, he moved to Kolkata and later came to Mumbai, unaware of whose residence he had entered. His sole intent was robbery, not targeting a film star specifically."

Details of the Case

The Mumbai Police confirmed that the accused, identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, is an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh's Jhalokati district. Arrested in Thane's Hiranandani Estate, the suspect reportedly planned to flee India after the incident. Investigations revealed that he had been residing in Mumbai under multiple aliases, including "Vijay Das," and had worked with a housekeeping agency.

The police registered a case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), citing evidence of Shehzad's illegal immigration and criminal intent. Dixit Gedam, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9), stated, "Preliminary evidence and seized items confirm his Bangladeshi nationality. He entered India illegally and adopted fake identities to avoid detection."

The Attack on Saif Ali Khan

The attack occurred at approximately 2:00 AM on January 16 in Khan's Bandra apartment. According to reports, the intruder entered through a duct and stabbed the actor multiple times, causing severe injuries, including wounds to his thoracic spine. The incident was reported by Aleyamma Philip, a nurse working at Khan's residence.

While the actor's condition is currently stable, the attack has raised concerns about security in Mumbai, particularly in high-profile residential areas.