Saif Ali Khan's attacker not Bangladeshi: Lawyer claims

Amid the ongoing investigation into the stabbing case of Indian actor Saif Ali Khan, the accused's lawyer claimed there is no proof that the man is Bangladeshi, The Times of India reported on Monday. 

The advocate, Sandeep Shekhane, said that cops do not have any evidence that proves the alleged attacker, named Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, is a Bangladeshi national. 

Shekhane also claimed that his client has been living in Mumbai for over seven years with his family. 

Shehzad was arrested on Sunday from Hirandani Estate in Thane. After that, Mumbai Police claimed he could be a Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally and had been living in Mumbai for the past few months. 

Speaking to the media on Sunday morning, Deputy Commissioner of Police Dixit Gedam said they have arrested an accused in connection with the burglary attempt at the actor's Bandra home late on Wednesday night, NDTV reports. 

"The investigation has revealed that this accused could be from Bangladesh. He does not have any Indian documents. We suspect he is from Bangladesh, we are investigating and have added Passport Act charges to the case against him," the senior officer said, adding that the accused entered the actor's home to commit robbery.

"We have recovered some items from him that suggest he is from Bangladesh. He came to India illegally and changed his name to Bijoy Das. He has been living in Mumbai for about four months and was working at a housekeeping agency," the senior officer said. 

Gedam added that the accused had been arrested from Thane and is now being questioned.

The intruder had managed to break into the actor's home through the fire exit at the back. His maid spotted him and screamed. When Saif Ali Khan confronted him, the attacker stabbed him six times and fled. The actor was rushed to the nearby Lilavati Hospital. Doctors have said he is recovering well.

"The robber asked for money and when he was opposed, he attacked the maid Junu and Saif Ali Khan and injured them. Police have taken the accused into custody based on technical evidence. The accused's name is Shariful Islam Shehzad and he is a Bangladeshi national," a police statement said, adding that the accused has also been charged under sections relating to illegally entering India.