Saif Ali Khan Moved to ICU, Attacker Still at Large: What We Know So Far
Actor Saif Ali Khan was injured during an attempted robbery at his Bandra residence on 16 January.
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More than 24 hours after actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked in his Bandra home, the search for the attacker continued on Friday, 17 January, with the Mumbai Police having formed 20 teams to nab the accused.
The police said that the suspect was last seen at the Bandra station, and he may have taken the first morning local train towards Vasai-Virar, news agency ANI reported.
The teams are reportedly conducting searches in Vasai, Nalasopara, and Virar areas. It was earlier reported that one suspect has been taken into custody on Friday afternoon for questioning, but the police later clarified that nobody has been detained in the case so far.
Earlier on Thursday, the police released a picture of the suspect as seen on the CCTV footage of the building where the actor resides.
Mumbai police released a picture of the suspect.
(Photo Courtesy: X)
Khan sustained six stab injuries after an intruder entered his Bandra home in the wee hours of 16 January. The actor was then rushed to Lilavati Hospital where he underwent surgery and was declared to be ‘out of danger’ on Thursday.
'Demanded Rs 1 Crore': How the Attack Took Place
According to the statements given by the family's help Eliyama Philip to the police, the intruder demanded Rs 1 crore after he attacked the maid allegedly with a hexa blade, injuring both her hands.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Dixit Gedam on Thursday told the media that the accused used the fire escape to enter their house – and that prima facie it is a case of attempted robbery.
While the investigation is underway and the security has been beefed up at Khan's residence and the hospital, the police and the forensics team continue to collect possible evidence from the house and the building.
Mumbai Crime Branch officer Daya Nayak during the investigation at Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan's residence.
(Photo: PTI)
An FIR has been registered in connection to the incident under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 311 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 312 (attempt to commit robbery when armed with a dangerous weapon), 331(4), 331(6) and 331(7) that pertain to house trespassing or house breaking. A preliminary probe pointed to an attempted burglary.
'Attacker Was Very Aggressive,' Says Kareena Kapoor in Statement to Police
On Thursday night, actor Kareena Kapoor, told the police that the intruder was ‘very aggressive’ during the altercation with her husband, Saif Ali Khan, stabbing him multiple times. She added that jewellery kept in the open was left untouched by the intruder, Indian Express reported.
Auto Driver Who Drove Saif Ali Khan to Lilavati Recounts the Night's Events
Bhajan Singh Rana, the auto driver who drove Khan to the hospital after the attack said, “I usually drive at night and I was looking for passengers. I saw someone hailing a rickshaw and a woman came running out of the gate and asked me to take a U-turn and park by the gate because someone was injured. I saw a few people step out and I saw a man in bloodied clothes. I realised he was very injured and then he got into the auto with another person and a 7 or 8-year-old kid. Saif Ali Khan asked me to drive to Lilavati and by the time he asked me how long it would take, we had already reached.”
Bharat Singh Rana picked up Saif Ali Khan from his building and dropped him at Lilavati Hospital around 3 am on 16 January.
(Photo Courtesy: X)
Rana added that he didn’t recognise the actor at first, “It was only when we reached the hospital that he introduced himself as Saif Ali Khan to the guard, asking them to call the staff.” The auto driver noticed injuries to the actor’s neck and back.
Indian Express quoted him as saying, “They were in such an emergency that I didn’t ask for money. Having such a big actor sit in my vehicle was satisfaction enough for me (sic).”
Saif Ali Khan ‘Out of Danger’, Shifted Out of ICU
The actor sustained an injury to the thoracic spinal cord and a 2.5-inch-long knife was removed during surgery.
"There were two injuries on his hand and one was in the neck which has been cured by plastic surgery. I have operated the spine and taken out the sharp object in the spine. Saif Ali Khan is better now. We have started his normal diet and he is speaking and moving. We made him walk, and he walked well. He has been shifted from the ICU to the normal ward," Dr Nitin Dange, Chief Neurosurgeon Lilavati Hospital, told the media on Friday.
Dr Dange further said that the "sharp object had gone very deep but it did not damage the spinal cord... he's very lucky."
Meanwhile, Khan's wife and actor Kareena Kapoor issued a statement on Thursday night, requesting the media and the paparazzi to refrain from “relentless speculation and coverage”.
In a statement shared on Instagram, she wrote, “While we appreciate the concern and support, the constant scrutiny and attention are not only overwhelming but also pose a significant risk to our safety. I kindly request that you respect our boundaries and give us the space we need to heal and cope as a family.”
Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor at the Lilavati Hospital where actor Saif Ali Khan was admitted.
(Photo: PTI)
"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. I would like to thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation during this sensitive time,” the actor further wrote.
Political Slugfest Over Mumbai's 'Deteriorating Law & Order'
After the attack on Khan, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray called the incident ‘shocking’ in a post on X and questioned the law and order in Maharashtra.
“The intrusion and knife attack on Saif Ali Khan is shocking. We are relieved to hear that he is stable and recovering, and we pray that tough times are over, and he bounces back to normalcy at the earliest,” Thackeray wrote.
(Photo Courtesy: X)
He added, “The fact that it happened, however, only highlights the absolute shambles of law and order is in Maharashtra. Over the past three years, hit and run cases, actors and politicians being threatened and cases like those in Beed and Parbhani only show that the government has been an absolute failure in curbing crime and maintaining law and order. Do we have anyone in the government that cares about citizen safety at all?”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, while speaking to journalists in Mumbai on Thursday, echoed similar sentiments, “Saif Ali Khan is a Padma Shri recipient and recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi along with his entire family. But what is this situation of law and order in this State? Where is our Home Minister? When a celebrity who can afford heavy security is not safe, let alone be the common people in the State who live in hutments and slums. We are talking about this case because it is a celebrity, but if it was a common man, nobody would even know.”
“Mumbai is the safest among all the other mega cities in the country and there is no doubt about it. What happened with Saif Ali Khan is a serious matter of concern but it won’t be right to call Mumbai unsafe. Such statements malign the image of the city. If any such incident happens in the city, we must take them seriously and act accordingly to ensure the safety of Mumbai. The government will take all steps to make Mumbai safer for all,” Fadnavis said, while speaking to reporters.
Celebrities & Politicians Wish for Saif Ali Khan's Speedy Recovery
Meanwhile, wishes poured in for Khan from across the country.
Actor Jr NTR, who worked with Saif Ali Khan in Devara Part 1, tweeted, "Shocked and saddened to hear about the attack on Saif sir. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery and good health."
(Photo Courtesy: X)
Actor-politician Chiranjeevi wrote, “Deeply disturbed by news of the attack by an intruder on #SaifAliKhan. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery.”
(Photo Courtesy: X)
Raveena Tandon shared on her Instagram story, “Targeting celebrities and soft targets in what used to be a safe residential area has become rampant, with Bandra losing out to unruly elements, accident scams, hawker mafia, encroachers, land grabbers and criminal elements racing on bikes phone and chain grabbing. Need a stronger measures. Wishing you a speedy recovery.” Tandon has worked with Khan on films like Parampara and Imtihaan.
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali told News18, “It is shocking to hear about the incident with Saif. At this point, the first things that are coming to my mind are that his injuries are not severe and that he’s going to recover soon.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), actor Neil Nitin Mukesh wrote, “My prayers with Saif sir and the entire family. This is very sad indeed !! May your bravery and love for your family be rewarded with healing, strength, and peace. Get well soon.”
(Photo Courtesy: X)
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wished Khan a ‘speedy recovery’ in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “Shocked to hear about the attack on Saif Ali Khan. Wishing him a speedy recovery and strength to his family during this difficult time.”
(Photo Courtesy: X)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the attack on Khan and wrote, “It’s very concerning to hear about the attack on noted actor Saif Ali Khan. I pray for his speedy recovery, trusting that the law will take its course and those responsible will be held accountable. My thoughts and prayers are with Sharmila Di, Kareena Kapoor, and the entire family during this difficult time.”
(Photo Courtesy: X)