Mumbai Police link Saif Ali Khan’s attacker to a woman in West Bengal. Sariful Islam, who entered India illegally, stabbed Khan during a robbery.
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A recent investigation into the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has led Mumbai Police to an intriguing lead in West Bengal. The police have questioned a woman from Chapra, located in the Nadia district, for her alleged involvement in providing a mobile phone SIM card to Sariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national accused of the attack. Islam reportedly entered India illegally and was arrested for his involvement in the case.
Connection to the Woman in West Bengal
According to police sources, the woman, Khukumoni Sheikh, is believed to have been acquainted with Islam. The SIM card he used during his stay in India was traced back to her, prompting an investigation. However, Sheikh has reportedly claimed that her phone had been stolen, a statement which is currently being verified by the authorities.
Islam’s illegal entry into India adds a layer of complexity to the case. It has been revealed that he entered India through the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya approximately seven months ago. Following this, he spent a few weeks in West Bengal before relocating to Mumbai in search of employment opportunities.

Illegal Entry and False Identity
Further investigation has revealed that Islam crossed the Dawki river along the India-Bangladesh border to enter Indian territory illegally. Upon arrival, he adopted the alias “Bijoy Das” and began living under this assumed identity. During his time in Bengal, he allegedly used a local resident’s Aadhaar card to obtain a SIM card, which was later traced to Sheikh. Police suspect this SIM card played a crucial role in helping him communicate and navigate his life in India.
In Mumbai, Islam strategically sought employment in places where documentation was not mandatory. According to officials, he had completed his education up to Class 12 in Bangladesh before venturing into India in search of work. This move highlights the socio-economic challenges that may have driven him to migrate illegally.
Evidence Establishing Bangladeshi Origin
The authorities have accessed two key identity documents confirming Islam’s Bangladeshi nationality. The first is a National Identity Card which states that Islam was born on March 3, 1994, and is the son of Mohammed Ruhul Islam. The second is a learner’s driving license that identifies him as a resident of Barisal, a city in south-central Bangladesh. These documents have been crucial in establishing his identity beyond doubt.
The Stabbing Incident
The attack on Saif Ali Khan occurred on January 16 at his residence in the upscale “Satguru Sharan” building in Bandra, Mumbai. Islam reportedly stabbed the actor six times during what appeared to be a botched burglary attempt. Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif’s wife and a prominent actress, provided a chilling account of the incident, recalling how the intruder aggressively assaulted her husband. “The attacker was aggressive. I saw him attack Saif repeatedly. Our priority was to take Saif to the hospital,” she stated in her statement to the police.
The couple’s younger son, Jehangir (nicknamed Jeh), was at home during the incident, being cared for by a nurse, Eliyama Philips. Philips was the first to encounter the intruder. According to her, Islam demanded ₹1 crore from the family. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in the violent attack on the actor.
Islam later claimed during interrogation that he stabbed Saif Ali Khan multiple times in the back in an attempt to free himself after being restrained by the actor. He revealed that he had been hiding in the building’s garden for nearly two hours before fleeing the scene.
The Hunt and Arrest
Mumbai Police, along with the crime branch, launched an intense manhunt to apprehend the attacker. Multiple teams worked tirelessly, analyzing CCTV footage from several locations to track Islam’s movements. After over 70 hours of investigation, Islam was arrested near Hiranandani Estate in Kasarvadavali, Thane, approximately 35 kilometers from Khan’s Bandra residence, on January 19. Following his arrest, he was remanded to police custody for further investigation.

Medical and Legal Developments
Saif Ali Khan was rushed to the hospital immediately after the attack, where doctors performed emergency surgery to save his life. During the procedure, they removed a 2.5-inch piece of a broken knife from his spine. The doctors noted that the knife had narrowly missed causing severe injury, as it was just 2 mm away from inflicting significant damage. The 54-year-old actor was discharged on January 21 and is now recovering at home.
Statements from the Accused’s Family
The case has also drawn reactions from Islam’s family in Bangladesh. His father, Mohammed Ruhul Islam, has refuted the allegations against his son, claiming that he is being framed for reasons unknown. He stated his intent to approach the Bangladeshi foreign ministry and seek assistance from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka to secure his son’s release.
The Bigger Picture
This case sheds light on several larger issues, including the vulnerabilities in border security, the illegal migration of Bangladeshi nationals into India, and the misuse of Indian identity documents by foreign nationals. It also raises questions about the ease with which SIM cards and other crucial resources can be obtained through fraudulent means.
Islam’s entry into India, his ability to adopt a false identity, and his subsequent movement across states highlight the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in tracking such individuals. His case also underscores the need for stricter measures to prevent the misuse of Aadhaar cards and SIM cards, as well as the necessity for robust verification processes for employment.

Public and Media Reaction
The attack on a high-profile personality like Saif Ali Khan has drawn widespread attention from the public and media. Many have expressed concerns about the safety of celebrities and the adequacy of security measures at residential complexes in high-end areas like Bandra. The incident has also prompted discussions about the socio-economic disparities and desperation that drive individuals to commit such crimes.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, the authorities are working to piece together the complete sequence of events leading to the attack. The questioning of Khukumoni Sheikh and the analysis of Islam’s activities in India are expected to provide further insights. Meanwhile, the case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding illegal migration, identity fraud, and security challenges in urban India. Saif Ali Khan’s recovery has brought relief to his family and fans, but the incident has left lingering questions about how such crimes can be prevented in the future.
Disclaimer:
This content is based on available reports and may change as the investigation progresses. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. For official updates, refer to law enforcement sources.
FAQs
Who is the woman linked to the Saif Ali Khan attack case?
The woman, Khukumoni Sheikh, is from Chapra in Nadia district, West Bengal. She is allegedly connected to the accused, Sariful Islam.
What role did Khukumoni Sheikh play in the attack?
She is suspected of providing a mobile phone SIM card to Sariful Islam, the Bangladeshi national who allegedly attacked Saif Ali Khan.
Who is Sariful Islam and how did he enter India?
Sariful Islam is a Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally through Meghalaya, using a fake name, Bijoy Das, and later moved to Mumbai in search of work.
How did the Mumbai Police trace the SIM card linked to the attack?
Police traced the SIM card used by Islam during his stay in India to Khukumoni Sheikh, which led to her questioning.
What did the police discover about Islam’s identity?
Police found two identity cards— a Bangladeshi National Identity Card and a learner’s driving license— confirming Islam’s Bangladeshi origin.
What happened during the attack on Saif Ali Khan?
On January 16, Saif Ali Khan was stabbed six times by Sariful Islam during a failed burglary attempt at his residence in Bandra.
How was Sariful Islam apprehended?
After a 70-hour manhunt, Sariful Islam was arrested near Hiranandani Estate in Thane on January 19.
What did Kareena Kapoor Khan witness during the attack?
Kareena Kapoor Khan witnessed the attack and saw the intruder repeatedly stab her husband, Saif Ali Khan, before they rushed him to the hospital.
What did Islam demand during the attack?
The accused, Sariful Islam, reportedly demanded Rs 1 crore during the attack.
How severe were Saif Ali Khan’s injuries?
Saif Ali Khan underwent emergency surgery to remove a 2.5-inch piece of a broken knife from his spine. Doctors noted that the injury could have been much more severe.
By watchnewz