 "Knife piece removed from spine, attacker knew maid: What initial findings in Saif Ali Khan attack case reveal")
Concerns have grown after Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed at his Bandra residence on Thursday.
The actor, attacked by an intruder with a knife, was hospitalised and underwent a medical procedure. Saif’s team has confirmed he is now out of danger and recovering under close medical supervision.
Khan sustained six stab wounds, including two deep injuries, with one near his spine. A foreign object was also detected close to his spine, according to a statement from Lilavati Hospital.
At the time of the attack, Saif’s wife Kareena Kapoor Khan and their children, Taimur Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan, were present at the house, along with other family members.
Who was Saif Ali Khan’s attacker? What does the investigation say?
The attack took place at the ‘Satguru Sharan’ building, where Saif Ali Khan resides. The actor suffered six stab wounds, including one close to his spine, and underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital.
As per the police, the intruder initially confronted Khan’s housekeeper, ANI reported. When Khan tried to intervene and control the situation, the intruder became aggressive, leading to a scuffle.
A statement from Saif Ali Khan’s PR team described the incident as an attempted burglary.
The message read, “There was an attempted burglary at Mr Saif Ali Khan’s residence. He is currently in hospital undergoing surgery. We request the media and fans to be patient. It is a police matter.”
CCTV footage from Khan’s residence showed no one entering the premises within two hours before the attack, according to NDTV. This indicates that the intruder had entered earlier and waited to carry out the attack.
Mumbai Police officials, investigating the incident, confirmed, “The actor and the intruder had a scuffle.”
The high-profile attack in Bandra, home to many celebrities, has raised concerns about security in the area and put the Mumbai Police under the radar.
Initial findings suggest that the attacker entered with assistance from someone within the household. Police sources told NDTV that the intruder was linked to one of the house helps, who helped him, and that he may have been hiding inside the building before the attack.
#WATCH | Mumbai | Woman (in blue kurta) working as household help in actor Saif Ali Khan's residence recorded her statement in Bandra Police station today pic.twitter.com/Mw0Ivm5db9
— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2025
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s team also released a statement: “There was an attempted burglary in Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s residence last night. Saif had an injury on his arm for which is in hospital, undergoing a procedure. The rest of the family is doing fine. We request media and fans to be patient and not speculate any further as the Police is already doing their due investigations. Thank you all for your concern.”
The police have detained three individuals for questioning, including a domestic servant, a lift operator, and a security guard.
Further, the police have questioned floor-polishing workers regarding their involvement, News18 reported. Officials are working to confirm their identities and plan to record statements from seven house helps who reside at the actor’s property.
The Mumbai Police have formed 15 teams to thoroughly investigate the case.
How Saif Ali Khan was attacked: Details emerge
According to The Indian Express, the intruder accessed Saif Ali Khan’s residence through the maid quarters at the back of the property.
The situation escalated when the nanny raised an alarm, forcing Saif to intervene directly to protect his family. During the confrontation, the intruder attacked Saif with a knife, stabbing him six times.
The accused had been confined to one of the rooms but managed to escape, police told the publication. An officer stated that no CCTV footage from the lift or lobby showed the intruder entering the 12th-floor apartment.
A doctor revealed that Saif was moved to the ICU after surgery. The knife, which was put in his body, was removed during the operation to prevent spinal fluid leakage. The doctor said that Saif had been admitted at 2 a.m., and a 2.5-inch piece of the knife had been embedded in his spinal cord, India Today reported.
“We are trying to catch the accused. One female staff member was also attacked. She is okay and is currently undergoing treatment. We have launched an investigation into the incident and will catch the accused soon,” senior police official Dixit Gedam told India Today.
In addition to the local police, the Mumbai Crime Branch is conducting a parallel investigation into the case.
Opposition targets Devendra Fadnavis government
The attack on Saif Ali Khan has led to criticism from opposition parties, raising concerns over Mumbai’s law and order situation.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “What a shame that Mumbai sees another high-profile attempt on life, the attack on Saif Ali Khan yet again raises questions on Mumbai Police and the Home Minister. This is after a series of incidents that show there is a deliberate attempt to undermine Mumbai by targeting big names.”
Chaturvedi also mentioned the murder of veteran politician Baba Siddique and the shooting outside Salman Khan’s home, saying, “Baba Siddique ji’s family is still awaiting justice after his shocking murder. Salman Khan forced to live in a bulletproof house. Now it is Saif Ali Khan. All in Bandra. An area which has the highest concentration of celebrities, which is supposed to have adequate security. If celebrities are not safe then who in Mumbai is? Wishing Saif Ali Khan a speedy recovery.”
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal criticised the government, stating, “You (central government) can’t give protection to Delhi. You can’t protect the celebrities. You can’t protect the borders…This ‘double-engine’ government neither can provide good governance nor safety. We condemn the attack on Saif Ali Khan. We appeal to central government to not do dirty politics all the time.”
#WATCH | AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal says, "This morning we got the shocking news that Saif Ali Khan was stabbed by unknown people. He is currently undergoing treatment. I pray that he gets well soon but it is a matter of concern that such a big actor who lives in such… pic.twitter.com/P7nNpTGQ2Y
— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2025
Congress MP Varsha Eknath Gaikwad said, “Extremely shocked at this brazen attack. What is going on in Mumbai? That this happens in Bandra in what is known as a safe neighbourhood, is what is most concerning. What security can the common man then expect?”
Film industry reacts to the incident
Actor-director Pooja Bhatt questioned the security situation in the city, tagging Mumbai Police in her X post. “Can this lawlessness please be curbed @MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice? We need more Police presence in Bandra. The city & especially the queen of the suburbs, have never felt so unsafe before,” she wrote.
Jr NTR , who recently worked with Saif Ali Khan in Devara Part 1, expressed his concern, writing on X, “Shocked and saddened to hear about the attack on Saif sir. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery and good health.”
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who has worked with Saif, told News18, “It is shocking to hear about the incident with Saif. At this point, the first things that are coming to my mind are that his injuries are not severe and that he’s going to recover soon.”
With inputs from agencies
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