Man Wrongfully Arrested in Saif Ali Khan Attack Case Claims Life Ruined, Vows to Seek Employment Outside Actor's Residence"

Agencies With inputs from Dainik Bhaskar, January 27, 2025 : On January 16, Saif Ali Khan was attacked at his residence in Mumbai, triggering a high-profile investigation. During the probe, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrested Akash Kanaujia, a resident of Durg, Chhattisgarh, as a suspect. However, shortly after his arrest, another man, Shariful, was detained in Mumbai, who confessed to the crime. As a result, Akash was released, but the ordeal had a profound impact on his life.

In a recent interview with PTI, 31-year-old Akash revealed how the wrongful arrest shattered his future. He claimed his life had been destroyed by the media's portrayal of him as a suspect, and that his job and engagement had both ended as a result. At the time of his arrest, Akash was on his way to meet his fiancée.

"Imagine my family's shock when my photos appeared on the news, claiming I was involved in the attack. The Mumbai police's mistake ruined my life," Akash said, explaining that the police had failed to notice a key detail. He pointed out that the suspect seen on Saif's building’s CCTV footage did not have a mustache, unlike Akash. His arrest on January 18 had been a mistake, he added.

Akash also described the events leading to his arrest, saying he had been at home when the police called and abruptly disconnected the conversation after he answered. Shortly after, he was taken into custody and transported to Raipur. "I was going to meet my fiancée when they detained me. Then, the Mumbai police arrived and exploited the situation," he recalled.

He further shared the devastating personal consequences. His employer had told him not to come back to work, and his fiancée’s family had called off their engagement. "I lost everything. My job, my relationship, and my peace of mind," he added.

Akash emphasized that despite having ongoing cases against him, being accused in this case was unjust. "Having two cases pending doesn't mean I should be labeled a suspect in everything," he said. He even expressed his determination to rebuild his life, stating, "I will stand outside Saif Ali Khan's building and ask for a job, as I’ve lost everything after what happened."

Further developments in the case included the arrest of Shariful, who later confessed to being the main perpetrator of the attack on Saif Ali Khan’s home. The police initially arrested Sahid on January 17, who had been implicated in several house-breaking cases, including one where he had reportedly surveyed the home of another Bollywood star, Shah Rukh Khan, for a potential robbery.

By January 18, the police had also arrested Akash Kanaujia, identifying him as a suspect in Saif Ali Khan’s case. However, after his release, the police made yet another claim, announcing the arrest of a person named Muhammed Sehjad from Thane, identifying him as a key figure in the incident.

Akash’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of wrongful identification and the impact such events can have on individuals’ lives.