Actor Saif Ali Khan has returned home six days after being hospitalized for severe injuries sustained in a knife attack during a burglary attempt at his Bandra residence. The actor was discharged from Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital and is now recuperating at home, where heavy police presence has been deployed for his safety. Mr. Khan has been advised strict bed rest for a week and has been asked to avoid visitors to prevent the risk of infection.
Details of the Incident
The horrifying incident, which raised concerns over Mumbai's law and order, occurred late Wednesday night when a man broke into Mr. Khan’s home and attacked him with a knife. The actor suffered six stab wounds, including a near-fatal injury to his spine, where the knife missed his spinal cord by a mere 2 mm. He underwent surgery to repair spinal fluid leakage and received plastic surgery for cuts on his arm and neck.
The attack unfolded around 2 a.m. when Eliyama Philip, the caregiver for Mr. Khan’s children, Taimur and Jeh, noticed unusual activity. Ms. Philip reported waking up to sounds and spotting a man emerging from the bathroom and heading into the children's room.
“When I confronted him, he signaled me to stay silent and said, ‘Don’t make noise; no one will leave.’ He was armed with a wooden stick and a long hexa blade,” Ms. Philip stated. After a brief exchange, where the intruder demanded ?1 crore, Ms. Philip screamed, alerting Mr. Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.
The Struggle and Aftermath
Mr. Khan and Ms. Philip attempted to fend off the attacker, but the actor sustained multiple injuries in the process. The family managed to retreat to the upper floor of their home while the intruder eventually fled the scene.
Police later arrested Shariful Islam Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national living in India under a false identity, for the attack. He has been charged with breaking into Mr. Khan’s residence and attempting robbery. As part of the investigation, Shehzad was brought back to the actor’s home to recreate the sequence of events.
Public Concern and Security Measures
The incident has drawn significant attention, with fans gathering outside both the hospital and Mr. Khan’s residence. Authorities have reinforced security at his home, while questions about Mumbai’s safety continue to surface.
The actor's family, shaken but safe, has expressed gratitude for the swift medical and law enforcement response. Saif Ali Khan is expected to make a full recovery in the coming weeks.
