Accused in Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Case Files for Bail, Claims Charges Against Him are "Patently False"

Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, the accused arrested in connection with the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan in January, has filed for bail, asserting that the charges against him are unfounded. Shehzad, who was arrested for allegedly attacking Khan inside his Mumbai apartment, claims the entire case is fabricated.

In his bail application, presented to the sessions court on Friday, Shehzad argued that the First Information Report (FIR) filed against him is "patently false" and that a "false case" has been registered. His lawyer, Ajay Gawali, maintained that there was no basis for the allegations and that Shehzad had been wrongfully implicated.

Shehzad contended that his arrest was illegal. He accused the police of "blatantly disregarding" Section 47 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which mandates that the individual being arrested must be informed of the reasons for their arrest and their right to bail. Shehzad argued that this procedural requirement was not followed in his case.

In addition, Shehzad’s legal team also contested the validity of the charge against him. According to the bail application, even if the witness statements were considered valid, they would not meet the legal criteria outlined under Section 311 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with serious crimes such as robbery or dacoity with intent to cause death or grievous harm.

The application emphasised that the police had completed all essential recovery and discovery processes, and that the investigation was effectively finished, pending only the filing of the chargesheet. Shehzad’s lawyers argued that since he had fully cooperated with the investigation, continued detention would serve no further purpose.

On January 16, Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed multiple times by an intruder inside his 12th-floor apartment in the upscale Bandra area of Mumbai. The actor, who was severely injured in the attack, was rushed to Lilavati Hospital for emergency surgery. Fortunately, he was discharged a few days later after receiving medical care.

Shehzad was arrested by Mumbai Police two days after the incident, following an investigation that involved examining CCTV footage from the building where the attack took place. Initially, two other individuals were detained as suspects, but Shehzad was later identified as the main assailant.​