Saif Ali Khan’s Attacker Arrested: GPay Transaction for Paratha and Water Bottle Leads Mumbai Police to Break the Case

Mumbai, January 20, 2025: In a breakthrough for the Mumbai Police, a UPI payment made by Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, the Bangladeshi national accused of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, helped track down the suspect. Shehzad allegedly attacked the actor at his Bandra residence on January 16.

Shehzad, who had entered India illegally and adopted the name Bijoy Das, was arrested in Thane city earlier on Sunday. A significant clue that led to his capture came from a Google Pay (GPay) transaction. He had made a payment for a paratha and a bottle of water at a stall near Century Mill in Worli. This payment led police to his mobile number, which was then traced to Thane. Further clues pointed to a dense mangrove area near a labor camp, where a search operation involving over 100 officers was launched.

After some time, the police nearly gave up their search but decided to check the area one more time. Their persistence paid off when a torchlight revealed someone lying on the ground. Upon approach, the suspect, realizing he had been spotted, tried to flee but was swiftly apprehended.

According to sources, Shehzad had stayed in Bandra until 7 am on January 16, after which he spent the night at a bus stop. His original intention was theft when he entered Saif Ali Khan’s home at the Satguru Sharan building in Bandra. However, things took a dark turn when he confronted the actor’s staff. During initial questioning, Shehzad admitted that he fled to Thane after seeing his image on TV and social media, fearing that the police would be after him.

Mumbai Police had initially focused their investigation on CCTV footage from the Bandra railway station, which showed Shehzad making a purchase at a store near Dadar station. However, he paid for the item in cash, which gave police no direct leads. The breakthrough came when surveillance showed him interacting with the vendor at the Century Mill stall, which eventually led police to Shehzad’s mobile number.

Shehzad was traced to a house in Janata Colony, where he had reportedly stayed with others. After finding the house locked, police contacted the landlord, who provided additional information, including Ekka’s mobile number. It was Ekka’s confirmation of the GPay transaction that allowed police to pinpoint Shehzad’s location.

Shehzad’s entry into Saif Ali Khan’s residence was marked by unusual movements. He is believed to have entered the actor’s flat by climbing through a bathroom window. Once inside, he caused a disturbance, demanding ₹1 crore. Upon hearing the commotion, Saif Ali Khan confronted the attacker, which led to an altercation. Shehzad, startled by the confrontation, stabbed the actor in the back before fleeing the scene.

In their investigation, police recovered several items from Shehzad’s bag, including a hammer, screwdriver, and nylon rope, suggesting a possible criminal history. The suspect, who was unaware of the significance of his victim until seeing media coverage, is now in police custody as the investigation continues.