Maharashtra Ports Minister Nitesh Rane has raised doubts about the knife attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, which reportedly left him with six stab wounds, including one near his spine. Rane suggested that the incident might have been staged, claiming that Khan’s discharge from the hospital and his walk out, which he described as “dancing,” made him skeptical about the attack. He also made disparaging comments about Khan, referring to him as “garbage” and questioned whether the attack had even happened. Additionally, Rane criticized the presence of Bangladeshis in Mumbai, alleging that they had entered Khan’s house, and suggested that they were involved in the incident.
“I saw when he came out of the hospital. I doubted whether he had been stabbed, or he was acting. He was dancing while walking,” he was quoted by news agency ANI.
The offensive and provocative remarks didn’t stop there. Rane also criticized NCP leaders Jitendra Awhad and Supriya Sule, accusing them of only expressing concern when celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan or Saif Ali Khan are affected.
“… everyone starts talking about it then. When a Hindu actor like Sushant Singh Rajput is tortured, no one comes forward to say anything… that Mumbra’s Jeetuddin (a crude reference to Mr Awhad) and Baramati’s Tai (Ms Sule) did not come forward to say anything…”
Ajit Pawar Responds
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar dismissed the comments, stating, “I’m not sure what he said… but if he has something to share, he should take it up with the Home Department.” The Mumbai Police fall under the state’s Home Ministry, headed by Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.
“The fact is, the individual has been arrested. He came from Bangladesh… and like many, he was drawn to Mumbai,” Mr. Pawar remarked.
“He needed to return to Bangladesh after seeing Mumbai, but lacked the money,” he suggested, implying that Shehzad may have been attempting to steal funds to purchase a ticket back home.
Shehzad’s nanny had claimed that he demanded Rs 1 crore when confronted.
“Perhaps yesterday, when Saif Ali Khan was going home, looking at his health and clothes it was difficult to guess he was attacked a few days ago. But what happened was true,” Mr Pawar said.
Sanjay Nirupam’s Surprising Statement
It wasn’t only Nitesh Rane making such remarks.
Sanjay Nirupam, who transitioned from Congress to Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, stated, “… the way Saif appeared… it felt like nothing had happened six days ago.”
Bangladeshi Citizen Apprehended
Mr. Khan was allegedly attacked by Shariful Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national residing illegally in India, according to the police. Authorities suspect that Shehzad, who claimed ignorance about being in the actor’s house, was attempting to commit a burglary when he was confronted—first by the nanny and then by Mr. Khan.
Shehzad has been apprehended and is currently in police custody. He was tracked to Thane following an extensive chase through various parts of Mumbai as he attempted to flee back to Bangladesh.
The lawyer representing Shehzad has argued the allegations are false and that his client is being made a scapegoat because a celebrity is involved. “… nothing (incriminating) has been recovered from him.”
“They have not produced any document to prove he is a Bangladeshi national,” his lawyer said. However, the suspect himself reportedly told cops, “..haan, maine he kiya hai (yes, I did it)”.
