Mumbai police are set to conduct a facial recognition test on Shareeful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir, arrested for allegedly stabbing actor Saif Ali Khan. The test aims to confirm if Fakir matches the individual seen in CCTV footage from the actor's Bandra residence.
The facial recognition test will compare Fakir's facial features from various angles with the grainy CCTV footage to ascertain his identity. This procedure is crucial, as the initial images have been "insufficient" for a definitive identification.
Fakir, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi national, was apprehended on January 19 based on surveillance images showing a man near the building's staircase. He faces charges of attempted murder and trespassing at actor Saif Ali Khan's upscale Bandra Apartment.
Khan, who was stabbed multiple times in his 12th-floor flat in the early hours of January 16, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent two surgeries.
He suffered stab injuries to his neck and near his spine. Khan was discharged from the hospital on January 21. His recovery has been described as stable.
The police have stated that the facial recognition test is necessary to ascertain whether Fakir is the same person seen in the CCTV footage.
There have been claims from Fakir’s father that the individual seen in the footage is not his son. The footage has also been subject to scrutiny on social media, with some users suggesting the man captured on camera is not the same as the accused.
The police on Friday sought the court to extend Fakir’s police custody until January 29 to facilitate further investigation.
They argued that although significant progress had been made, further interrogation was required to establish crucial details in the case. The police also plan to compare Fakir’s footprints with those found at Khan’s residence.
Additionally, the shoes Fakir wore during the attack have not been recovered, and the missing part of the knife used in the crime is yet to be found. Fakir has reportedly been uncooperative during the investigation.
The prosecution has also requested the identification of individuals who assisted Fakir in acquiring fake Aadhaar and PAN cards under the alias ‘Vijay Das,’ which allowed him to stay in India.
Fakir’s defence counsels, Dinesh Prajapati and Sandeep Sherkahne, opposed the police’s request, questioning the credibility of the incident.
They argued that Khan had sufficient time to contact the police but did not do so and that Fakir’s remand was unnecessary for recovering the material, as claimed by the police.
The magistrate extended Fakir’s remand until January 29, noting the need for further custody due to the nature of the offence and the ongoing investigation. A Bangladeshi driving licence, recovered from Fakir, confirms his nationality.
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