A man believed to be a Bangladeshi citizen was arrested in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, on Sunday and is identified as the prime suspect in the stabbing of Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, police reported.
The attack, which occurred on Thursday, shocked Mumbai residents and the nation’s film industry, prompting widespread calls for improved policing and security measures. Doctors confirmed that Khan is out of danger and has been discharged from the hospital.
“Initial evidence indicates that the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen who entered India illegally and changed his identity,” said Dixit Gedam, a deputy commissioner of police, during a press conference.
The suspect, apprehended on the outskirts of Mumbai, had been using the alias Vijay Das but is believed to be Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a 30-year-old who had been working for a housekeeping agency in Thane. According to Gedam, Shehzad arrived in Mumbai five to six months ago.
During questioning, Shehzad reportedly confessed to breaking into Saif Ali Khan’s home with the intention of burglary and stabbing the actor multiple times.
Police plan to seek custody of the suspect for further investigation, Gedam added.
