More than 50 hours after actor Saif Ali Khan was brutally attacked in his Bandra home, the search for the intruder is ongoing. Fresh sightings of the suspect along with new details from the investigation have thrown up compelling questions about the incident.
WAS THE ATTACK PREMEDITATED?
New visuals released on Saturday show the suspect in a yellow t-shirt, contrasting the black t-shirt seen in the CCTV footage from the night of the attack. Another visual, taken a day after the incident, showed him in a blue shirt. Police confirmed the intruder carried a black backpack in all instances.
This apparent effort to change clothing suggests a degree of planning. The suspect’s actions indicate some level of preparedness, possibly to evade capture. This throws up another question: whether the attacker was a petty thief or if the break-in was premeditated.
WAS THE SUSPECT CONNECTED TO SAIF’S HOUSEHOLD?
The intruder managed to remain inside Saif Ali Khan’s apartment for nearly 30 minutes, reportedly entering the home through the fire escape after scaling a wall and using the rear staircase. Police say the suspect appeared familiar with the layout of the building.
This raises the possibility of the crime being an insider job. Police have already floated this theory, and are investigating the attacker’s connection to the actor’s household; be it a former employee or someone with ties to a current or ex-staff member.
A revenge motive, perhaps due to resentment at being sacked, also cannot be ruled out.
WAS ROBBERY THE REAL MOTIVE?
The attacker reportedly entered the room of Saif Ali Khan’s younger son, Jehangir (Jeh), and demanded Rs 1 crore as ransom. However, despite jewellery being left in the open, none was stolen during the incident.
This was corroborated by Saif’s wife, actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, who told investigators that during the scuffle, the intruder got “aggressive”, but he “didn’t touch the jewellery”.
This puzzling behaviour has led to questions about the suspect’s motive: whether his intent behind committing the crime was financial or if his primary goal was to harm the 54-year-old actor or his family.
IS THERE A LAWRENCE BISHNOI GANG LINK?
The robbery bid follows a pattern of high-profile crimes in Bandra, where celebrities and power brokers live. Last year, the upscale locale witnessed the murder of Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique and a firing outside actor Salman Khan’s home. Both incidents were tied to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
While police said their probe so far didn’t point to the involvement of any criminal gang, the proximity of these incidents has prompted speculation.
Maharashtra Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam, however, ruled out any underworld link, stating that the motive appeared to be robbery.
HOW IS THE ATTACKER EVADING COPS?
After fleeing the crime scene, the attacker remained in the Bandra area till 8 am that morning, police said. He was spotted near the Bandra railway station, leading police to suspect that he might have taken a train to move around Mumbai or travel elsewhere.
Fresh CCTV footage emerged on Saturday showing the suspect purchasing headphones in Dadar, less than 10 km away from the scene of the crime.
These frequent sightings raise concerns about how the attacker is moving freely and evading capture despite a massive manhunt for him.