Mumbai: The Mumbai police have detained a suspect allegedly involved in the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, Indian media reported on Friday.
Saif, 54, was attacked at his Mumbai residence in an attempted burglary during the early hours of Thursday. He sustained six stab wounds and is currently hospitalised.
According to The Indian Express, the suspect was taken to the Bandra police station for questioning on Friday morning. Police officials revealed that the accused is reportedly connected to one of Saif’s staff members, who had facilitated his entry into the actor’s apartment. Authorities are also interrogating the staff member for their role in the incident.
CCTV footage from the building captured glimpses of the alleged attacker. While he was initially locked in a room at Saif’s residence, he managed to escape before police arrived, the report stated.
An FIR with non-bailable charges under the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the suspect, according to The Indian Express.
Kareena Kapoor Khan Issues Statement
Saif’s wife and fellow Bollywood star, Kareena Kapoor Khan, appealed for privacy in a heartfelt statement released on Instagram Thursday night.
“It has been an incredibly challenging day for our family, and we are still trying to process the events that have unfolded. As we navigate this difficult time, I respectfully and humbly request that the media and paparazzi refrain from the relentless speculation and coverage,” Kareena wrote.
She emphasized the emotional toll and safety concerns stemming from excessive media scrutiny, urging for boundaries and space to heal as a family.
Pakistani Politician Comments
Former Pakistani information minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain reacted to the incident on X, stating:
“SRK threatened, Salman Khan targeted more than once, and now Saif Ali Khan stabbed. Mumbai is not safe for Muslim superstars.”
His remarks referenced previous threats and attacks against prominent Bollywood actors, including Shah Rukh Khan, who received a death threat last November, and Salman Khan, who has faced multiple assassination threats from the Bishnoi gang.
Indian authorities have not addressed Hussain’s claims, maintaining that the incident appears to be a burglary gone wrong.
Previous Incidents Involving Bollywood Stars
Shah Rukh Khan was targeted last November when Faizan Khan, a lawyer from Chhattisgarh, allegedly issued a death threat and demanded INR 5 million.
In April 2024, members of the Bishnoi gang fired shots at Salman Khan’s home, part of a longstanding feud stemming from the actor’s 1998 hunting case involving blackbucks. The gang’s leader, Lawrence Bishnoi, has repeatedly threatened Salman with assassination.
Authorities continue to investigate the attack on Saif Ali Khan, with further updates expected in the coming days.
