A significant breakthrough in the case of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan's attack came after a thorough 72-hour manhunt that led to the arrest of Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammed Rohilla Amin Fakir, a 30-year-old illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. This operation, conducted by 150 members of Mumbai and Thane police, was made possible through a combination of CCTV footage, mobile data analysis, and crucial information from his employers. Shariful, who entered India undetected in 2024, had planned to rob Khan's residence while also seeking to escape back to Bangladesh afterwards.

On January 16, during a home invasion at Khan's residence in the upscale Bandra area, Shariful reportedly demanded Rs 1 crore and threatened to hold Khan's family hostage. During a confrontation, he inflicted multiple stab wounds on the actor before fleeing the scene. Police reports revealed that Shariful initially attempted to break into another apartment within the same building but failed, ultimately leading him to Khan's home, according to India Times.

Post-attack, the police quickly mobilized, utilizing approximately 500 CCTV cameras to trace Shariful's movements across several districts, including Bandra, Dadar, and Worli. The evidence collected included distinct details about the color and pattern of his shoes, which became a critical identifier during the investigation. With the help of a tip-off from his former employer, Jitendra Pandey, who had provided Shariful with job opportunities without properly verifying his background, authorities were able to pursue the case more actively. Pandey's actions are currently under scrutiny, as he had allowed Shariful access to housing despite his illegal status, as mentioned in reports by India Times.

Shariful's methodical approach to his crime included studying potential targets in affluent areas, particularly in Bandra and Khar. His capture was a culmination of meticulous police work, involving an intensive search in Thane's marshy terrain where he believed he could hide. Ultimately, he was found concealed under dry leaves in a dense area, showcasing the lengths he would go to evade law enforcement.

Upon capture, Shariful reportedly confessed to planning the robbery, asserting he did not realize he was attempting to invade a celebrity's home. The incident marks a significant concern regarding the infiltration of illegal immigrants into India and the associated criminal activities. Investigators highlighted that many such individuals become embedded within the labor force, often resorting to criminal activities due to desperation and lack of proper identification documents.

He has since been charged with armed robbery and illegal entry under the Foreigners' Act of 1946, alongside other related offenses. In court, authorities indicated that there might be broader implications regarding a potential criminal network aiding Bangladeshi immigrants in India. The case continues to unfold as police seek to gather more evidence related to the weapons used and Shariful's connections in the city. His legal representatives have argued against the validity of his arrest, claiming he was treated unfairly during the operation, as covered by India Times.

The incident has sparked discussions on security protocols for high-profile individuals and the effectiveness of current systems in preventing such attacks.