Woman Arrested in West Bengal Linked to Saif Ali Khan Attack

MUMBAI, India — A woman in West Bengal has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, Mumbai Police confirmed. The suspect, Khukumoni Sheikh, allegedly provided a mobile phone SIM card to the Bangladeshi national accused of attacking Khan at his Bandra residence on January 16.

Police sources revealed that Sheikh, a resident of Chapra in Nadia district, West Bengal, was acquainted with Sariful Islam, the primary suspect in the case. Islam, who entered India illegally, used the SIM card registered under Sheikh’s name during his stay in the country. “The SIM card the accused was using during his stay in India was traced to the woman. The woman is being questioned,” a police source said.

Islam, 30, crossed the Dawki river along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya seven months ago and stayed in West Bengal before moving to Mumbai. He allegedly used a local resident’s Aadhaar card to procure the SIM card. “After reaching Mumbai, the accused chose to work in places where he was not required to furnish any documents,” an officer said on condition of anonymity.

On January 16, Khan was stabbed multiple times during a failed burglary attempt at his 12th-floor residence in the upscale Bandra neighborhood. The actor suffered grievous injuries, including a 2.5-inch knife fragment lodged in his spine, and underwent emergency surgery at Lilavati Hospital. He was discharged on January 21.

Khan’s wife, actor Kareena Kapoor, witnessed the attack and described the intruder as “aggressive.” “I saw him attack Saif repeatedly… Our priority was to take Saif to the hospital,” she told police. A nurse caring for the couple’s younger son, Jehangir, also encountered the intruder during the incident.

Islam was arrested on January 19 after a 70-hour manhunt near Thane, about 35 kilometers from Khan’s home. He reportedly told police that he stabbed Khan in self-defense after the actor grabbed him. Islam also claimed to have hidden in the building’s garden for two hours before fleeing.

Authorities have confirmed Islam’s Bangladeshi nationality through a National Identity Card and a learner’s driving license. His father, Mohammed Ruhul Islam, has denied the allegations, stating that his son is being framed. “I will get in touch with the Bangladeshi foreign ministry and also seek help from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka for the release of my son,” he said.

Mumbai Police are now seeking a transit remand to bring Sheikh to Mumbai for further questioning. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the events leading to the attack.