Shariful Islam Shehzad, who has been in the news since January for allegedly attacking actor Saif Ali Khan during a theft attempt at his Bandra home, has filed a bail application in the Mumbai Sessions Court. The plea, submitted through his advocate Ajay Gawali, claims that he has not committed any offence and that the case against him is fabricated.
“The FIR is patently false and a false case has been registered against him,” the plea states, asserting that Islam has fully cooperated with the investigation. His lawyer argues that all key evidence, including CCTV footage and call records, has already been collected by the prosecution, and there is no risk of him tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.
Islam is accused of breaking into Khan’s residence on January 16, 2024, with the intent of robbing and, in the process, attacking the actor and his staff member, Gita, using a wooden weapon and a hexa blade. Khan suffered serious injuries, with a part of the weapon lodged in his back, requiring multiple surgeries. He spent five days in the hospital before being discharged on January 21.
The case was filed by Khan’s staff member, Elima Philip, and is currently being heard in the Bandra Magistrate Court. Once the Bandra Police files the chargesheet, the case will be transferred to the Mumbai Sessions Court for trial.
The bail plea also argues that Islam’s continued detention serves no purpose beyond pre-trial punishment. “The applicant has co-operated with the investigation. Therefore, no useful purpose will be served by detaining him further in custody, save and except pre-trial punishment,” the plea states.
The Bandra Police have yet to file the chargesheet in the case, and the court is expected to hear Islam’s bail plea soon.
