Saif Ali Khan stabbing case: Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad’s police custody extended till January 29

Saif Ali Khan stabbing case: A Mumbai court on Friday extended Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad's police custody till January 29 in the Saif Ali Khan attack case. 

“There is considerable progress in the investigation but we need further custody for a detailed probe,” ANI quoted the Public Prosecutor.

Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad was arrested by Mumbai Police as the main suspect in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case. According to police, Shehzad broke into Saif Ali Khan's house and attacked him with a knife during a violent encounter.

Police suspect involvement of more people in attack

While seeking an extension for Shehzad's custody, police suggested the possibility of involvement of more people in Saif Ali Khan's attack. They also stated that the suspect had not been cooperating and had refused to disclose the source of the weapon used in the crime.

Underlining the importance of a thorough investigation, the Mumbai court said further interrogation is necessary even to ascertain the accused's innocence. Nothing from the records inferred that arrest is illegal, the court observed, reported ANI.

Police need to match Shehzad's face with CCTV footage

Police officials also argued that Shehzad's custody is needed to conduct facial recognition to match him with CCTV footage. Additionally, the police official said they are yet to recover the pair of footwear he wore at the time of the crime but have recovered a gamcha (towel) of the accused.

"We are still to receive his shoes which he wore during the crime," the police added. 

Additionally, police will record the statement of Kolkata resident Khukmoni Jahangir Sheikh, whose Aadhar card the accused used to buy a SIM card in Kolkata.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has already given his statement to the police related to the stabbing incident which took place at his Bandra residence last week. Mumbai Police have so far taken the statement of more than 15 people in the case, including Saif Ali Khan's wife, Kareena Kapoor.

Saif Ali Khan knife attack

Saif Ali Khan received treatment at Lilavati Hospital for five days after he was attacked by an intruder at his Bandra residence on January 16. 

As per police officials, the accused entered his home to attempt a theft but was caught by one of Saif Ali Khan's staff members. Later, Saif had a violent confrontation with the intruder and sustained multiple injuries due to knife stabbing.