Fri Jan 24 10:41:09 UTC 2025: ## Bangladeshi Man Accused in Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Claims Political Persecution
**Mumbai, India –** The father of Shariful Islam Shehzad, the Bangladeshi national accused of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, vehemently denies his son’s involvement. Mohammed Ruhul Amin claims Shehzad, a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), fled Bangladesh in March 2024 to escape political persecution under the then-ruling Awami League.
Amin stated that his son felt unsafe due to fabricated charges and a hostile political climate. He insists the man shown in CCTV footage at the scene of the crime is not his son, citing differences in age and hairstyle. Police, however, maintain they have Bangladeshi government documents confirming Shehzad’s identity and believe he was living in India under the alias Bijoy Das. They tracked him down using a UPI payment for breakfast.
Shehzad’s case has sparked a political debate in India. Maharashtra Ports Minister Nitesh Rane, from the ruling BJP, controversially downplayed the attack and made derogatory remarks about Bangladeshi immigrants. This incident further fuels existing tensions between the BJP and the opposition regarding border security and the influx of illegal immigrants.
A Mumbai court extended Shehzad’s police custody until January 29, citing the need to gather further evidence. While Shehzad’s father and lawyer maintain his innocence, reports suggest Shehzad confessed to the crime, though this confession is not admissible in court. Khan suffered serious stab wounds but has since been discharged from the hospital. Amin claims he has not been contacted by Indian authorities regarding his son’s arrest.
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