Khan, a towering luminary in India's celestial firmament, was brutally stabbed by an unauthorized intruder within the sanctity of his residence, sending shockwaves reverberating through the nation. After undergoing surgical intervention, he is now gradually recuperating. On Sunday, authorities announced the apprehension of the prime suspect, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, who was revealed to be an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant residing in India. However, Mr. Shehzad's counsel has vehemently denied these accusations, steadfastly insisting on his client's non-Bangladeshi origins.
Mr. Shehzad was apprehended in Thane, a district located on the outskirts of Mumbai. Preliminary inquiries unveiled that he had arrived in the bustling metropolis approximately six months prior, securing employment at a housekeeping agency under a fictitious name and identity, as disclosed by Dixit Gedam, a deputy commissioner of the Mumbai police, during a press briefing. The police hypothesize that Mr. Shehzad's motive for breaking into Khan's residence was robbery, Mr. Gedam elaborated further.
On Sunday, a Mumbai court remanded Mr. Shehzad into police custody for a period of five days. His legal representative, Sandeep Shikhane, expressed his dissatisfaction to reporters outside the court, contending that his client was being unfairly targeted. "No documentary proof exists to affirm his Bangladeshi citizenship," he emphasized emphatically.
Khan's assault dominated the national news cycles and sparked widespread discussions regarding safety in Mumbai, India's most populous city and financial hub. Khan sustained six stab wounds, including a grievous one on the nape of his neck, in an attack that unfolded in the upscale neighborhood where he resided.
Eliyama Philip, a nurse employed at Khan's residence, recounted to police last week a harrowing tale of how she first noticed a shadowy figure lurking near the bathroom door late one night while attending to a child in another room. Ms. Philip vividly narrated how a menacing man wielding a wooden object in one hand and a lengthy blade in the other emerged, issuing warnings against making a sound. He demanded a ransom of 10 million rupees ($115,477; £94,511), she recounted with dread.
A fierce scuffle ensued, leaving Ms. Philip injured. Upon hearing the commotion, Khan and his wife rushed to the room, only to witness the assailant slashing Khan with the blade before making a swift escape. On Friday, investigators reportedly detained and subsequently released at least five individuals for interrogation, many of whom bore a striking resemblance to the attacker captured on CCTV footage exiting the premises, adding a layer of intrigue to the already chilling narrative.
