Investigations revealed several lapses in the building’s security arrangements, including sleeping guards and a lack of CCTV cameras in key areas
A Bangladeshi national accused of attacking Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan gained entry into the actor’s Bandra residence by scaling the compound wall and taking advantage of sleeping security guards, Mumbai Police revealed on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the early hours of January 16 at the Satguru Sharan building, where Khan resides.
The accused, identified as Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir, also known as Vijay Das (30), allegedly stabbed the 54-year-old actor multiple times inside his 12th-floor apartment. Khan sustained serious injuries and underwent emergency surgery at Lilavati Hospital.
Crime Scene Recreated
On Tuesday, police recreated the crime scene with the accused at the actor’s residence to reconstruct the sequence of events. Investigations revealed several lapses in the building’s security arrangements, including sleeping guards and a lack of CCTV cameras in key areas.
According to a police official, the accused scaled the compound wall unnoticed and entered through the main entrance, where no CCTV cameras were installed. “Both the security guards in the building were asleep at the time. The accused removed his shoes to avoid making noise and switched off his phone to evade tracking,” the official said.
The probe further revealed that there were no CCTV cameras installed in the building’s corridor, which could have captured the accused’s movements.
Accused’s Movements Traced
Police also traced the accused’s activities after the attack, including locations where he ate, changed clothes, and boarded a train. The accused was arrested three days later in Thane city.
Inspector Ajay Lingnurkar, the investigation officer in the case, confirmed that Fakir, a native of Jhalokathi district in Bangladesh, had been living in Mumbai for over five months, working in odd jobs and through a housekeeping agency.
Strict Custody Measures
The accused is currently held in police lockup at Bandra or Santacruz police stations. Only the investigation officer is permitted to interact with him, and he is being provided the same food as other detainees.
A local court on Sunday remanded the accused in five-day police custody to facilitate further investigation.
Security Concerns Highlighted
The incident has raised concerns about residential security in Mumbai’s high-profile areas. The police emphasised the need for better security infrastructure, including the installation of CCTV cameras and stricter monitoring by security personnel, to prevent such incidents.
The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are examining all angles, including Fakir’s background and motive for the attack.
