In a surprising twist to the high-profile knife attack and burglary attempt at actor Saif Ali Khan’s residence, investigators have found that the fingerprints recovered from the scene do not match those of the primary suspect, Shariful Islam.
Mumbai Police had collected 19 sets of fingerprints from the crime scene and sent them to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for verification. The CID’s system-generated report confirmed that the prints did not belong to Shariful. Following this revelation, the police have sent additional evidence for further forensic analysis to strengthen the case.
The attack, which occurred on January 15, left the 54-year-old actor with six stab wounds, including one near his spine that caused a spinal fluid leak. Doctors at Lilavati Hospital confirmed that the knife missed his spinal cord by just 2 millimeters, avoiding permanent damage. Mr. Khan was discharged on Tuesday and advised to rest for a week as he continues his recovery.
The accused, Shariful Islam, is a Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally. He confessed to attempting the burglary after being promised forged citizenship documents in exchange for money. Police are now tracing the individual who allegedly offered to create the fake documents.
To identify the suspect, Mumbai Police collaborated with Western Railway and used facial recognition technology. The suspect was reportedly captured on unclear CCTV footage exiting the building and later boarding a train at Bandra station. Facial recognition helped narrow down possible matches, ultimately leading to Shariful’s arrest.
Although the suspect is in custody, the mismatch in fingerprint evidence has prompted investigators to gather more solid proof to ensure a watertight case. Authorities are now focusing on tracking all accomplices and motives behind the crime. The investigation remains ongoing.
