Tension in Mumbai Court as Two Lawyers Clash Over Representation of Saif Ali Khan’s Alleged Attacker

Unusual drama unfolded at the Bandra metropolitan magistrate court in Mumbai on Sunday, where the alleged attacker of actor Saif Ali Khan, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, was presented. Two lawyers reportedly competed to represent the accused in the high-profile case, creating a brief impasse during the proceedings.

Shehzad, identified by Mumbai police as a Bangladeshi national, was arrested earlier that day in Thane after being linked to the January 16 incident. He allegedly broke into Saif Ali Khan’s Bandra apartment with the intent to steal and repeatedly stabbed the actor. This arrest followed two earlier misidentifications based on CCTV footage from the actor’s building.

Amid tight security, Shehzad appeared before the court. When asked if he had any complaints against the police, he denied having any. He was then moved to the accused box at the back of the courtroom. According to a PTI report, a lawyer stepped forward to secure the accused’s signature on a vakalatnama (legal authorization document). However, just before doing so, another lawyer intervened and obtained Shehzad’s signature, causing confusion over representation.

To resolve the matter, the magistrate advised both lawyers to jointly represent the accused, a suggestion they accepted. Shehzad was subsequently remanded to police custody for five days.

Incident Details

The alleged attack occurred in the early hours of January 16 at Saif Ali Khan’s 12th-floor apartment in the upscale “Satguru Sharan” building in Bandra. Shehzad reportedly entered the premises intending to commit theft but stabbed the 54-year-old actor multiple times. Saif underwent emergency surgery at Lilavati Hospital and is now recovering, with doctors expecting his discharge soon.

Police Investigation

Before Shehzad’s arrest, authorities detained two individuals resembling him based on CCTV footage. They later identified Shehzad, who they claim hails from Jhalokathi in Bangladesh’s Barisal division. He had been in Mumbai for five months, working in petty jobs, including at a housekeeping agency.