Shariful Fakir, the Bangladeshi national accused of assaulting Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan during a break-in at his Mumbai residence, has filed for bail. Fakir’s legal team argues that his arrest was unlawful and that with the police investigation now complete, there is no justification for keeping him in custody. The court is scheduled to review his plea on April 1, 2025.
The alleged incident took place on January 16, when Fakir reportedly scaled Khan’s Bandra apartment building and entered his 12th-floor residence through the bathroom. Unaware that the house belonged to the renowned actor, he allegedly held the family at knifepoint while demanding money.
According to a complaint filed by a staff nurse working at the residence, Fakir first entered the bedroom of Khan’s young son, Jehangir. The nurse confronted him, at which point he allegedly attacked her before demanding Rs 1 crore. When Saif Ali Khan woke up and tried to intervene, Fakir reportedly lunged at him with a knife. The actor was subsequently rushed to Lilavati Hospital for emergency surgery and was discharged five days later. Fakir managed to flee during the altercation but was arrested on January 19.
In his bail plea, Fakir’s lawyers assert that his arrest violated legal procedures, claiming that he was not provided with a copy of the reasons for his detention, which is a mandatory requirement. They further argue that the allegations in the FIR are fabricated and lack legal merit. Even if the statements from witnesses are accepted as true, the defense contends that they do not meet the legal threshold to establish charges of robbery or dacoity with intent to cause harm or death.
The defense also highlights that since the police have already gathered all key evidence—including CCTV footage and call records—Fakir does not pose a risk of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses. This, they claim, strengthens the case for granting him bail. The court will decide on his application on April 1.
