Chhattisgarh, India – A 31-year-old man, Akash Kanojia, mistakenly detained by Indian police in connection with the Saif Ali Khan attack case, has seen his life spiral into turmoil after the incident. He was fired from his job, and his prospective in-laws canceled his wedding plans, leaving him in despair.
Kanojia was apprehended on January 18 at a train station in Chhattisgarh while traveling from Mumbai to Bilaspur to meet his prospective bride. The police circulated his photographs on media and social platforms, labeling him as the “main suspect” in the high-profile case.
The arrest left Kanojia’s family shocked. Speaking to the press, Kanojia expressed frustration with the police for overlooking a glaring discrepancy in their investigation. “They failed to notice that I have a moustache, while the person in the CCTV footage is clean-shaven,” he said, criticizing what he described as reckless behavior by law enforcement.
The fallout was swift and devastating for Kanojia. His employer terminated his job, and the bride’s family refused to proceed with the arranged meeting. “When I called my employer, he asked me not to report to work and didn’t even listen to my explanation,” Kanojia revealed.
Now released and cleared of any involvement in the case, Kanojia has voiced his intentions to protest outside actor Saif Ali Khan’s apartment, claiming he lost everything due to the incident.
The real suspect, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, was arrested by Mumbai Police in Thane, Maharashtra, on January 19. Shehzad is linked to the knife attack on Saif Ali Khan, 54, which took place on January 16. The actor suffered multiple stab wounds and underwent a six-hour operation at Lilavati Hospital.
Police have since acknowledged that Kanojia was not involved in the case. However, the ordeal has left a lasting impact on his life, raising concerns over police accountability and the handling of high-profile investigations.
