Cops recreate crime scene as part of investigation into Saif Ali Khan attack | File Photo
Mumbai: Police on Tuesday took the Bangladeshi man arrested for the attack on Saif Ali Khan to the actor’s house in Bandra to recreate the crime scene and establish the sequence of events.
The police arrived at the actor’s residence early in the morning when it was still dark as the accused, Shariful Islam alias Vijay Das, had allegedly committed the crime between 1.33am and 2.33am.
“Around 4am, the police took the accused to the actor’s residence to recreate the crime scene,” an official said. “We have already confirmed his identity by contacting his relatives in Bangladesh and are verifying his documents,” the official said.
The police followed Islam to all the places within the residence that he visited. Islam jumped over the compound wall behind the Satguru Sharan complex. He accessed the building through the basement and climbed a few floors, then climbed up a pipe. He reached the 11th floor bathroom duct, which was closed by a net. The accused stood on the net and walked to a gallery area. He reportedly entered the house through a bathroom door. According to a police officer, the bathroom has two doors, one on the gallery side, and the other facing a room.
The police later took Islam to the bus stop about 500 metres away where he had slept a few hours. They also visited a garden where he allegedly changed his shirt and went to Bandra Railway Station. Islam was made to retrace his steps all the way to Thane.
The official said Islam had tried to purchase a ticket to Howrah but was arrested before he could do so. The police also seized his cap from Khan’s residence, which is likely to contain traces of his hair. The police are also investigating the accused’s employer, Amit Pandey. However, they have not yet named him as a co-accused in the case.
The police said that Islam entered the country illegally seven months ago. Islam, who changed his name to Vijay Das, crossed the Dawki River to enter the country. He stayed for a few weeks in West Bengal and used the Aadhaar card of a local man to procure a SIM, before moving to Mumbai in search of a job, an official said.
He said the preliminary probe revealed that the SIM was registered in the name of one Khukumoni Jahangir Sekha of West Bengal. The official said Islam also tried to get an Aadhaar card for himself but failed.
He said in Mumbai, the accused chose to work at places where he didn’t need to furnish documents, and labour contractor Pandey helped him get housekeeping work in pubs and hotels in Worli and Thane.
