Saif Ali Khan Stabbing: Bandra Court Sends Arrested Accused Mohammad Shehzad To Five-Day Police Custody

Mohammad Shehzad, the accused arrested for allegedly stabbing actor Saif Ali Khan in his home on January 16, has been sent to five-day police custody. Shehzad, who was arrested in Thane by Mumbai Police on Sunday, was produced in court in Bandra.

The court said that since the attacker is from Bangladesh, possibility of an international conspiracy could not be ruled out. The accused will remain in police custody till January 23.

The police mentioned several reasons to substantiate their demand for police custody. Mumbai Police said that the accused came to India illegally and it was important to know how and why. It was also vital, said the police, to ascertain if anyone else was involved with him.

Public Prosecutor Kishor Patil also said that Shehzad knew that he was entering the house of a celebrity.

Sandip Sherkhani, the lawyer representing the accused, opposed police custody and claimed that Mohammed Shehzad was not Bangladeshi. He said that police custody was not necessary as it was not mentioned in the remand why it is required. The lawyer also claimed that Mahammad Shehzad has been staying in Mumbai for past 7 years.

The stabbing took place on intervening night of January 15 and 16. The accused entered the 11th floor home of Saif Ali Khan. Upon coming across his maid, the accused demanded money. As Saif came out from inner room and confronted him, the accused stabbed the actor multiple times grivously injuring him to the point that blood-covered actor's spinal fluid began leaking. The accused made an escape afterwards.

Saif was then rushed to Lilavati Hospital by his son Ibrahim and the maid.

After a manhunt that lasted several days, Mohammad Shehzad was arrested in a joint operation of Mumbai Police and Thane Police.