In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, police sources have confirmed that some fingerprints found at the actor's residence match those of the accused, 30-year-old Shariful Islam.
According to the police source, multiple samples were collected from Saif Ali Khan's house and sent for forensic analysis. While some fingerprint results have been verified, others are still pending. An officer stated, "We have not received all reports yet, so we are not disclosing further details at this stage."
Meanwhile, during the accused’s police custody, some media outlets reported that Shariful's fingerprints did not match those collected from the actor’s residence. However, the Mumbai police have strongly denied these claims, stating that they have substantial evidence, including technical, oral, and physical proof, linking him to the crime.
On January 16, at around 2 a.m., an intruder entered the room of Saif Ali Khan's younger son, Jahangir (Jeh), who is four years old. The attacker assaulted his two nannies, Philip and Geeta, and demanded money. Upon hearing the commotion, Saif rushed to Jeh’s room and tried to intervene, but the intruder allegedly attacked and stabbed him six times. The actor was later admitted to Lilavati Hospital for treatment.
The police arrested Shariful Islam on January 19, but the case sparked controversy on social media, with some questioning whether the real culprit had been apprehended. Certain media reports suggested that the fingerprints collected from the crime scene did not match Shariful's. However, a facial recognition test confirmed his identity, matching his face with images captured in CCTV footage. Following the identity parade, a staff member from Saif’s household, Eliyama, and Junu identified Shariful and confirmed that he was the same person who broke into the actor's residence and attacked her.
Investigations have revealed that the accused had conducted a recce of the actor’s home before the crime. He had been working near the residence and had carefully observed the surroundings. On January 16, he allegedly scaled the compound wall of Saif’s Satguru Sharan building and entered through a pipe and staircase with the intent to commit theft. However, instead of stealing, he attacked three individuals, including the actor, with a sharp object.
Initially, the incident was believed to be a case of petty theft, but the complexity of the arrest operation and conflicting media reports have raised questions about the police's handling of the case. Currently, the accused is in judicial custody.
