The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : In a significant development in the case involving the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, the Mumbai Police have found that several fingerprints lifted from the crime scene do not match those of the arrested accused. The revelation has sparked fresh speculation about the possibility of additional individuals being involved or lapses in the forensic process.
The detailed 16,000-page chargesheet, filed on Monday by the Bandra Police, includes crucial forensic reports, two of which focus on fingerprint analysis. According to the fingerprint data collected from Saif Ali Khan’s Bandra residence after the January 15 incident, only one identifiable palm print — found on the 8th floor of the building — matched the left palm of accused Shariful Islam Shahzad. The remaining prints, however, have deepened the mystery.
Out of 20 fingerprints lifted from various parts of the house, seven were collected from the rear bathroom door, one from a sliding bedroom door, and two from a cupboard door. None of these prints matched those of Shariful or the other suspect Shahid Shabbir Sayyed, as per the comparison slips submitted to forensic experts.
Further, the police also conducted advanced biometric searches using the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) and the Automated Multi-Modal Biometric Identification System (AMBIS). These searches were cross-referenced with fingerprint databases maintained by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in New Delhi and the Maharashtra Fingerprint Bureau. The results showed no matches with any previously arrested or convicted individual.
The fingerprint report notes that many of the lifted prints lacked clear ridge detail, making them unsuitable for examination. “Several of the fingerprints could not be technically identified,” said a senior police source, adding that some may have been compromised due to the condition of the surfaces or mishandling during the crime scene analysis.
Additionally, a report from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) corroborated the lone match of Shariful’s palm print on the 8th floor. While this places him at the crime scene, it does not fully explain the presence of unidentified prints, which has led investigators to consider the involvement of other yet-to-be-identified individuals.
The incident occurred in the early hours of January 15, when Saif Ali Khan was reportedly attacked at his residence by an intruder intending to commit robbery. During the scuffle, the intruder stabbed the actor multiple times. Saif was rushed to Lilavati Hospital around 2:30 a.m., where he was treated for his injuries.
The investigation has taken a more complex turn following the fingerprint analysis, as law enforcement agencies now aim to determine whether additional suspects may have been involved or if the evidence was compromised.
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