On Friday morning, Mumbai police apprehended a suspect in connection with the shocking attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, an official confirmed.
The suspect, whose identity remains unknown, was detained following a series of interviews with individuals resembling the attacker. Authorities took the man to the Bandra police station for further questioning.
What sets this case apart is the crucial piece of evidence: the suspect was carrying a backpack strikingly similar to the one seen in CCTV footage taken from the actor’s building. This discovery has led investigators to believe that they are one step closer to identifying the person behind the terrifying attack.
The violent incident occurred early Thursday morning at Saif Ali Khan’s residence in Bandra, Mumbai. At around 2:30 am, an intruder, armed with a knife, entered the actor’s apartment and launched a brutal assault on the star. Saif Ali Khan was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for his injuries.
A Closer Look at the Attack
According to a statement from Khan’s public relations team, the actor is in stable condition and expected to be discharged in 2-3 days. His team confirmed the break-in and requested privacy while the police continue their investigation into the matter.
A crucial witness to the attack was Eliyama Philips, the nurse caring for Saif Ali Khan’s younger son Jeh (Jehangir). Philips was the first person to come face-to-face with the intruder, and she later provided a detailed description of the assailant. She described the attacker as a man aged between 35-40 years old, with a dark complexion, slim build, and standing approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall.
Philips also noted that the man was wearing dark-coloured pants, a shirt, and a cap at the time of the attack. She further emphasized her ability to recognize him if she saw him again.
Heroic Actions During the Attack
Saif Ali Khan’s wife, Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor, and their two children, Jeh and Taimur, were in the house when the attack occurred. Five house helpers were also present. It was Philips who first noticed something amiss while on the 11th floor of the building.
“I saw the bathroom door ajar and the light on,” she recalled. “At first, I thought it was Kareena checking in on Jeh. But something didn’t feel right. I got up again to investigate and saw a man coming out of the bathroom and entering Jeh and Taimur’s room.”
At this moment, Philips confronted the intruder, who immediately demanded Rs 1 crore. She quickly moved towards Jeh’s room, but the attacker, brandishing a wooden stick and a long knife, threatened her. “He put his finger to his mouth and told me, ‘Don’t make any noise’ in Hindi,” Philips explained.
In a heroic act of bravery, Philips tried to shield the children from harm. Her screams alerted Saif Ali Khan, who rushed to the scene. In the ensuing confrontation, the actor was brutally attacked multiple times. Doctors at Lilavati Hospital confirmed that shards of the knife had struck the actor’s spine, causing spinal fluid to leak. Fortunately, medical professionals were able to successfully repair the injury and perform plastic surgeries on his hand and neck.
Investigation Continues
As the investigation progresses, the Mumbai police are piecing together the details of the attack. While the suspect has been detained, authorities continue to explore the motive behind the break-in and assault. The dramatic and frightening nature of the event has shaken the Bollywood community, and fans are sending their support and best wishes for Saif Ali Khan’s swift recovery.
We will continue to update you on this story as more information becomes available. In the meantime, we hope for a full and speedy recovery for the actor and his family.