Mumbai:

Nearly 12 hours after the life-threatening attack on actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra home, Mumbai Police have identified a suspect, sources said. The suspect entered the premises of the actor’s house from the adjacent building after scaling the wall in between, crime branch sources said. Police also suspect that one of Mr Khan’s domestic workers knew the attacker and gave him access to the house. That help is now being questioned as the Mumbai Police tries to get to the bottom of the shocking attack on the 54-year-old actor in one of the Maximum City’s poshest areas.

The actor suffered six stab wounds, including one near his spine, and underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital. He is reportedly out of danger.

Mumbai Police, left red-faced after the shock attack on the actor during a burglary attempt, said they were investigating the incident. “An unknown person entered actor Saif Ali Khan’s apartment. The actor and the intruder had an argument. The actor is injured and is being treated. The investigation is ongoing,” the police said.

CCTV cameras at Saif Ali Khan’s house did not capture anyone entering the premises within two hours of the attack, meaning whoever attacked the actor had entered the building earlier and was waiting for an attack. Police are scanning CCTV footage to identify the attacker who fled after stabbing the actor.

The Opposition has attacked the Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra and questioned the law and order situation in the Maximum City when even celebrities are not safe.

Taking aim at the state government over the law and order situation in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “What a shame that there is another high-profile assassination attempt in Mumbai. The attack on Saif Ali Khan once again raises questions about the Mumbai Police. “This comes after a series of incidents that show that there is a deliberate attempt to undermine Mumbai by targeting big names.”

Ms Chaturvedi also brought up the attack that killed veteran politician Baba Siddique and the shooting outside actor Salman Khan’s house.

“Baba Siddique ji’s family is still waiting for justice after his shocking murder. Salman Khan was forced to live in a bulletproof house. Now it’s Saif Ali Khan All in Bandra. An area with the highest concentration of celebrities where there are said to be enough “If celebrities aren’t safe, then who is in Mumbai? I wish Saif Ali Khan a speedy recovery,” Ms. Chaturvedi said.

Actress Pooja Bhatt reacted strongly to the attack on her colleague.

On social media platform X, the 52-year-old actor posted several tweets demanding more police presence in Bandra. She tagged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and Minister Ashish Shelar to draw their attention to the issue.

“Can this lawlessness please be curbed @MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice? We need more police presence in Bandra. The city and especially the queen of the suburbs have never felt so unsafe,” Ms Bhatt said. “Law and order. We have laws… what about order?” she added.