Even as they said they have not officially received the fingerprint examination report in the Saif Ali Khan case, the Mumbai police asserted on Tuesday that they have ample evidence to prove the involvement of the arrested accused in the attack on the actor.
Amid reports of a mismatch between the fingerprints lifted from the crime scene and those of the arrested Bangladesh national, Mohammed Shariful Islam, 30, who is accused of causing serious injuries to the actor during a failed robbery attempt, the police confirmed they were still awaiting reports from the state Crime Investigation Department (CID).
Paramjeet Singh Dahiya, Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region), said, “No official report on the fingerprint examination has come yet.”
Dahiya praised the investigation. “It’s an excellent clue-based detection by the Mumbai police with the help of the crime branch. I can confidently say that we have got sufficient concrete evidence in the case,” he said. “We have gathered ample oral, physical and technical evidence.”
The fingerprint samples were sent to the state CID for examination. Some media reports said the fingerprint results had come back negative, prompting speculation that the police may have arrested the wrong person. A senior police officer confirmed this development but emphasised there was plenty of other evidence to prove that the man in custody is indeed the prime suspect.
The police secured 19 fingerprints from Islam, who allegedly attacked the Bollywood actor on January 16 at his home. He was arrested from the Thane labour camp area on January 19.
Investigators have also sent Islam’s blood samples to a forensic science laboratory for analysis.
Story continues below this ad
Amid allegations that Islam’s appearance does not match that of the intruder captured in CCTV footage from the building Satguru Sharan, where the actor lives, the police have decided to conduct a facial recognition test on Islam to ascertain his role in the crime.
Currently in police custody, Islam is scheduled to be produced in court on Wednesday.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd