The Mumbai Police on Sunday released Akash Kanojia, who had been detained at the Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh, in connection with the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. Mumbai Police sub-inspector Pradeep Funde, however, clarified that Kanojia was only a suspect and had not participated in the incident. “We are releasing him. He is not the accused, and we are not bringing him to Mumbai,” said Funde, who confirmed Kanojia’s innocence.
Speaking to reporters on his release, Kanojia said, “I did nothing wrong. I was brought here for questioning, and now I have been released. I am not the accused.”
Initial Detainment and Release
Kanojia was arrested on Saturday following the Mumbai Police releasing a photo of him, to the Railway Protection Force (RPF). He was traveling on the Jnaneshwari Express, a line connecting Mumbai Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) to Kolkata Shalimar. Following his questioning, authorities concluded that Kanojia had no connection to the case.
#WATCH | Durg, Chhattisgarh: Mumbai Police Sub-Inspector Pradeep Funde says, “From yesterday, we have been saying that he is just a suspect, let us investigate before coming to any conclusion. We are releasing him. We will drop him at the railway station. He is not the accused,… https://t.co/Hmr5ETfu9m pic.twitter.com/VIrymPD4bN
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025
Breakthrough Arrest in Thane
Though Kanojia was exonerated, a major breakthrough was achieved by the Mumbai Police which arrested a 30-year-old Bangladeshi (nation) man from Thane that very morning. Preliminary investigations revealed that the attacker, identified as Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir, had changed his name to Bijoy Das upon entering India.
Police reported that Rohilla was not aware that he was in the residence of a Bollywood star, with the excuse being theft. The record of the accused showed more than 5 months stay in Mumbai and doing small jobs in order to earn a living. Officials are currently [searching] the way Rohilla successfully entered India illegally and attempts are underway to gather it.
Details of the Incident
30 am in the ‘Satguru Sharan’ building. Saif Ali Khan, 54 years, was repeatedly stabbed in the body by the intruder, including the neck and spine.
After the attack Khan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital and emergency surgery was performed on him. Extraction of a 2.5-inch blade fragment from his spine took place in a surgical procedure lasting 5 hrs. Doctors also state that the actor is currently well.
Security and Motive
The attack has led to the most urgent concerns relating to security at the Saif Ali Khan’s residence and implications for the safety of celebrities in general. Investigators are also probing the motive behind the stabbing. Although Ruhola states that he entered the dwelling with a purpose of burglary, the brutal manner with which the attack took place has baffled many people.
The incident has brought into focus the susceptibility of VIPs be they in Mumbai or elsewhere in the country, and the requirement for stronger security, etc. Police are studying CCTV footage from the building and interviewing neighbours and staff to reconstruct the events just prior to the act of violence.
Conclusion
With the arrest of the Bangladeshi national, the case has taken a significant turn. But it also highlights the issues related to illegal immigration and the dangers it presents for urban security. Police round the clock in the city of Mumbai, continue their probe into the incident of shooting Saif Ali Khan, who is currently recovering.
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