MUMBAI: The 30-year-old Bangladeshi national, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, arrested on charges of stabbing actor Saif Ali Khan after breaking into his house, had recced the houses of several Bollywood celebrities before committing the crime, police sources said.
During interrogation, Shehzad said he had recced Saif’s house and Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Mannat’, among many others.
However, he abandoned plans to target ‘Mannat’ due to its heightened security and high walls, sources said.
On January 15, Shehzad carried out a detailed recce of Saif’s house, identifying an easy way to gain entry. He returned later that night, entering the building at 1.37 am on January 16.
Once inside, he was unable to execute the robbery as planned and, in a panic, attacked Saif before fleeing empty-handed.
Sources said Shehzad had been unemployed for a month and was desperate to return to Bangladesh. Lacking the financial means to arrange his journey, he sought help from various people but was asked to pay a sum he could not afford.
He decided to rob a celebrity’s home to fund his return. His plan was inspired by an auto-rickshaw driver who had pointed out the houses of Shah Rukh and Saif during a casual conversation in Bandra.
Police said Shehzad had a clear opportunity to steal cash and jewellery from Saif’s house, but his fear of getting caught caused him to flee without taking anything.
After the failed attempt, he kept a close watch on the investigation through news channels, saving screenshots of suspects shown by the media. These images were recovered from his phone.
Mumbai Police had initially detained two other suspects based on resemblance to Shehzad, but he continued to evade capture. The breakthrough came on Sunday morning when Shehzad was arrested near Hiranandani Estate in Kasarvadavali, Thane, around 35 kilometres from Saif’s residence.
He had been hiding in a labour camp in a forested area. Upon realising that the police were closing in, Shehzad tried to evade arrest by hiding in the bushes, but was apprehended after a seven-hour search operation.
According to DCP Dixit Gedam, Shehzad did not possess any Indian identification documents, and evidence found on him confirmed his Bangladeshi nationality. Police said he had been living in Mumbai for four months under the alias, Bijoy Das.
Following his arrest, Shehzad reportedly confessed to the crime, saying, “Haan, maine hi kiya hai” (Yes, I did it).