A 48-year-old man has been arrested by the Pelhar Police in Palghar district, Maharashtra, for allegedly orchestrating the murder of his employer over a financial dispute and attempting to make it appear as a road accident in Nallasopara. The body of Prabhukumar Lutan Jha was found on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Nalasopara East. The badly mangled body, especially the victim's crushed head, raised eyebrows of a senior police officer, who ordered a detailed investigation into the case, leading to the arrest of the accused, Sanatan Binay Singh. How the case unfoldedAt the first glance, the police believed that Jha had died in a road accident. On Tuesday, the Pelhar Police registered a first information report (FIR) under sections 106 (1) (causing death by negligence), 281 (rash driving), and 125 (endangering life and public safety) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as Sections 184 (dangerous driving) and 187 (punishment for offences relating to accident) of the Motor Vehicles Act. However, upon observing the injuries on the body and other suspicious elements, the police decided to thoroughly investigate the matter. “Prima facie, it looked like an accident but the skull of the deceased was badly crushed, which raised my suspicions and I ordered a detailed investigation into the matter,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Jayant Bajbhale told mid-day. Details of the investigationDuring a detailed investigation, the cops learnt that 48-year-old Singh, a resident of Vasai (East) near Mumbai, was employed as a driver in Jha’s company. “Financial disputes between Singh and Jha led to the incident. Using technical analysis and CCTV footage, we learnt that Singh intentionally caused the accident, resulting in Jha's death," Bajbhale stated. During this process, some suspicious activities and leads were uncovered. After interrogating several people connected to Jha, the police found crucial evidence in the case. How was the murder committedThe investigation revealed that the accused pre-planned the murder and later staged it as an accident to conceal the crime. After allegedly killing the victim, the body was dumped on the roadside to make it appear like a road mishap. A source at the police station told mid-day that the accused had hit Jha’s head with an iron rod. “He was assaulted multiple times on his head by an iron rod and died on the spot. The killer fled the crime scene to paint it as a road accident,” said a source from Pelhar Police Station. According to the police, Singh confessed to the crime during interrogation, following which he was arrested. Singh was produced before the court and remanded in police custody for further investigation. The cops are now investigating if more individuals were involved in this crime.
18 January,2025 11:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaAkash Kailash Kannaujia, a suspect in the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, has been apprehended on Saturday by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in a coordinated operation with the Mumbai Police. An inspector of the Durg RPF in Chhattisgarh received a tip-off about a suspect at 12.24 pm from the assistant police inspector of Juhu Police Station in Mumbai. As per information, the 31-year-old suspect was travelling on train 12101 Jnaneswari Express which operates between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai and Shalimar Station in West Bengal. The Mumbai Police shared the suspect's photo and tower location to the RPF. RPF received the information when the train was between Maharashtra's Gondia and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. However, the suspect could not be located when the train arrived at Rajnandgaon. Two teams were then deployed at Durg station to intercept the train. Upon its arrival, the suspect was identified near General Compartment No 199317/C by IPF SK Sinha, and constables Shriram Meena and Nirmala. The suspect’s identity was verified by the Mumbai Police through a photograph sent by RPF. The apprehended individual was brought to the Durg RPF post, where a video call was made to Mumbai Police officers to confirm his identity further. A team from Mumbai Police is expected to arrive in Raipur at 8 pm to take custody of the suspect who is currently being held at the Durg RPF post. Khan, 54, a popular Bollywood star, was stabbed repeatedly by an intruder during a robbery attempt at his 12th floor residence in Mumbai's Bandra area early Thursday morning. The actor was recovering from his injuries, as per the doctors treating him. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the cops had called auto driver Bhajan Singh Rana, who swiftly rushed Khan to the hospital after the attack, was called to the Bandra Police Station to record his statement. Rana turned out to be a saviour for Khan, rushing him to the hospital when no other driver was available. “I was passing by the building when I suddenly heard someone calling for an auto. A woman walked out of the gate in panic and asked for help. A few minutes later, Saif Ali Khan, along with a few others, came out and sat in my auto. He was wearing a white kurta and was covered in blood,” Rana told mid-day. “He was in pain and asked me to take him to Lilavati Hospital. Two other people, who I think were his sons, sat with him in the auto. Initially, they discussed going to Holy Family Hospital but decided on Lilavati. I took Hill Road and reached the hospital quickly. The hospital staff came out with a stretcher and took him inside,” he added. Rana further shared, “Within minutes, I rushed him to the emergency ward. I didn’t even take money from him. There was bleeding from his neck, hand, and back. After he got down, I cleaned the auto.” (With PTI inputs)
18 January,2025 07:49 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanA case has been filed against a godown owner in Thane district district of Maharashtra for allegedly storing hazardous chemicals worth Rs 75 lakh without necessary permits, police said on Saturday. The Thane Police's Crime Branch has sealed eight godowns at Bhiwandi's Dapoda following a raid on Friday afternoon, an official said. According to PTI, he informed that the police squad discovered chemicals of different brands being kept improperly in all eight godowns, in violation of both legal and safety regulations. Assistant Police Inspector Sriraj Mali said the godown owner lacked the required permit to store the hazardous materials, and the premises have been sealed to prevent further misuse. He added said that a case has been filed against the godown owner under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Environmental Protection Act, the Manufacture, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, and the Petrochemical Act. 2 Indian companies charged with criminal conspiracies to import fentanyl precursor chemicals to US Two Indian companies: Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals have been charged with criminal conspiracies to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States (US). Bhavesh Lathiya, a founder and senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, was arrested in New York on January 4 on the same charges, PTI reported. US Magistrate Judge Joseph A Marutollo for the Eastern District of New York has ordered his detention pending trial. If convicted, Lathiya faces a maximum penalty of 53 years in prison. As per PTI, this is likely the first time that Indian companies and its executives have been charged for distribution and import of fentanyl precursor chemicals to the US. Most Chinese companies have been charged for such criminal conspiracies for distribution and import of Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, which is considered to be the deadliest drug threat currently facing the US. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. "We allege these companies, and a company founder and senior executive who is now in custody, conspired to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals from India to the United States and Mexico," said Attorney General Merrick Garland, PTI cited. "(We) will continue to take the fight against fentanyl directly to alleged foreign precursor chemical exporters like the companies and the individual indicted today ' because the best way to stop illicit fentanyl from killing Americans and devastating communities is by preventing it from being manufactured in the first place," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. (With inputs from PTI)
18 January,2025 05:16 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentAuto driver Bhajan Singh Rana, who swiftly rushed Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan to the hospital after an accident, has been called to the Bandra Police Station to record his statement. Bhajan Singh Rana, the auto driver who took Saif Ali Khan to the hospital, has been summoned to the Bandra Police Station to provide his statement.By: @journofaizan#saifalikhan #mumbaipolice #bandra #mumbai #newsupdate https://t.co/FUJegyXYhP pic.twitter.com/VPnNbyvLiw — Mid Day (@mid_day) January 18, 2025 Autorickshaw driver Bhajan Singh Rana turned out to be a saviour for Saif Ali Khan, rushing him to the hospital when no other driver was available. “I was passing by the building when I suddenly heard someone calling for an auto. A woman walked out of the gate in panic and asked for help. A few minutes later, Saif Ali Khan, along with a few others, came out and sat in my auto. He was wearing a white kurta and was covered in blood,” Rana told mid-day. “He was in pain and asked me to take him to Lilavati Hospital. Two other people, who I think were his sons, sat with him in the auto. Initially, they discussed going to Holy Family Hospital but decided on Lilavati. I took Hill Road and reached the hospital quickly. The hospital staff came out with a stretcher and took him inside,” he added. Rana further shared, “Within minutes, I rushed him to the emergency ward. I didn’t even take money from him. There was bleeding from his neck, hand, and back. After he got down, I cleaned the auto.” #WATCH | Mumbai: Bhajan Singh, the auto-rickshaw driver who took Actor Saif Ali Khan to Lilavati Hospital, says "I was called there (Bandra Police Station) for questioning...I did not think about money that night...I have not been contacted by Kareena Kapoor or anyone else so… pic.twitter.com/pXHPsSkOp2 — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2025 Almost two days after the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, the Bandra police and the Mumbai Crime Branch were yet to apprehend the accused. Officials believe the suspect appears to be a professional thief, judging by his entry and escape from the actor’s Bandra West building, Satguru Sharan. Despite having photographs and CCTV footage, the police have not been able to identify or locate the accused. We have checked our records, but no one matching the suspect’s appearance has been found,” a senior Mumbai Police officer said. With digital evidence yielding no breakthroughs, the police are relying on human intelligence. Multiple dedicated teams are analysing CCTV footage to track the suspect’s route. The cops have learnt that he changed his clothes to evade the police. The police had received information about a person in South Mumbai resembling the accused and the individual was brought to the Bandra police station for questioning. “While the person bore a 99 per cent resemblance to the suspect, a thorough interrogation and review of records revealed he was not the same person, as he was elsewhere at the time of the incident. The person was later released,” a source said. The forensic team that examined Saif’s house recovered multiple fingerprints belonging to the accused. These were checked against police records, but no matches were found. “The manhunt is in full swing. Around 40 teams from the Crime Branch and Bandra police are working on the case. We are also sharing the fingerprints with other state police departments to check if the individual appears in their records,” an officer said.
18 January,2025 04:05 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanAccused in the Saif Ali Khan attack case changed his clothes near Juhu to evade arrest, official sources said on Friday. Earlier, the first image of the suspect who allegedly attacked the Bollywood actor in his Bandra house was accessed by mid-day hours after the incident took place in the wee hours of Thursday. The police have formed multiple teams to trace and nab the accused in the Saif Ali Khan attack case, police said. The suspect can be seen in CCTV footage using a staircase to reach the actor's house. The footage was recovered by the police, sources said. Earlier, the police had said that the suspect who attacked Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence has been identified and multiple police teams are in the process to track and nab the culprit, the police said on Thursday. A case under multiple sections of the BNS has been registered at the Bandra Police Station following the knife attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, the police said. According to Mumbai Police, one accused has been identified, and 10 teams have been formed to apprehend him. A senior police official said, "The FIR was registered under Section 311 (robbery or dacoity with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), Section 312 (robbery or dacoity with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), and Sections 331(4)(6)(7) (punishment for house-trespass or housebreaking) of the BNS." The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at Saif Ali Khan’s residence on the 12th floor of the Sadguru Sharan building in Bandra west. Preliminary investigations suggest the intruder used the stairs to gain entry into the house with the intent of committing a robbery. The 54-year-old actor sustained multiple injuries during the alleged burglary attempt and was rushed to Lilavati Hospital at around 3:30 am. Dr Niraj Uttamani, COO of Lilavati Hospital, confirmed that Khan underwent surgery and is now in recovery. “Saif sustained six stab injuries, two of which were deep, including one near the spine. A team of neurosurgeon Dr Nitin Dange, cosmetic surgeon Dr Leena Jain, and anaesthesiologist Dr Nisha Gandhi performed the surgery,” Dr Uttamani said.
18 January,2025 03:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanTwo days after the shocking attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, the Bandra police and Mumbai Crime Branch are yet to apprehend the suspect. The latest development in the case comes from CCTV footage, which shows the accused purchasing headphones from a shop in Dadar at 9 p.m. on the day of the incident. Saif Ali Khan Attack Case: After changing his clothes, the accused was captured on CCTV buying headphones from a shop in Dadar at 9 pm on the day of the incident.Via: @journofaizan#saifalikhan #mumbaipolice #bandra #mumbai #newsupdate https://t.co/FOiEtfLyZp pic.twitter.com/krSJ2XMVkA — Mid Day (@mid_day) January 18, 2025 Officials believe the suspect appears to be a professional thief, judging by his entry and escape from the actor’s Bandra West building, Satguru Sharan. Despite having photographs and CCTV footage, the police have not been able to identify or locate the accused. We have checked our records, but no one matching the suspect’s appearance has been found,” a senior Mumbai Police officer said. With digital evidence yielding no breakthroughs, the police are relying on human intelligence. Multiple dedicated teams are analysing CCTV footage to track the suspect’s route. The cops have learnt that he changed his clothes to evade the police. The police had received information about a person in South Mumbai resembling the accused and the individual was brought to the Bandra police station for questioning. “While the person bore a 99 per cent resemblance to the suspect, a thorough interrogation and review of records revealed he was not the same person, as he was elsewhere at the time of the incident. The person was later released,” a source said. Forensic clues The forensic team that examined Saif’s house recovered multiple fingerprints belonging to the accused. These were checked against police records, but no matches were found. “The manhunt is in full swing. Around 40 teams from the Crime Branch and Bandra police are working on the case. We are also sharing the fingerprints with other state police departments to check if the individual appears in their records,” an officer said. Insights from CCTV footage The police suspect the accused avoided using a mobile phone, as no suspicious activity was found in the tower dump data analysed. CCTV footage from Saif’s building staircase shows the suspect entering at 1.37 am with his face covered and leaving at 2.33 am with his face uncovered. This footage remains the most significant clue the police have so far. Sources revealed that the accused was spotted by a CCTV camera near Link Road in Bandra on the morning of the attack. “Human intelligence has been activated, and we are following up on leads based on the suspect’s appearance in CCTV footage. Several people are being questioned, but the accused seems to be a professional who managed to avoid being captured clearly by most cameras,” an officer said.
18 January,2025 02:54 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanIn a significant operation during the night duty of January 17-18, Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport in Mumbai seized gold weighing 2.465 kgs and diamonds weighing 248.65 carats across three separate cases, as per official sources. The total estimated value of the seized items stands at Rs 2.54 crore. Three passengers were arrested in connection with the cases and are registered under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, officials said. As per officials, acting on specific intelligence, Customs officers intercepted two passengers arriving from Bangkok. A thorough search revealed 24-karat crude gold dust, weighing a total of 2.465 kgs, were found concealed inside the body cavities of both the passengers. The gold has been provisionally valued at Rs 1.80 crore. Both individuals were taken into custody. In another operation, Customs officers intercepted a passenger who was departing from Mumbai to Dubai. Upon inspection, the officers recovered 21.70 carats of 'Cut & polished lab grown loose diamonds worth Rs 5.20 lakh which was concealed within the passenger’s body cavity. They also recovered Cut and polished natural loose diamonds weighing 226.95 carats, valued at Rs 69.69 lakh. The total value of the diamonds was estimated at Rs 74.90 lakh. The passenger was arrested on the spot, officials said. Mumbai: DRI seizes 12 kg smuggled gold worth Rs 9.6 crore hidden in DJ lights at air cargo complex The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Friday said that it has seized 12 kg smuggled gold worth Rs 9.6 crore concealed inside DJ lights at the Mumbai Air Cargo Complex and busted a major gold smuggling attempt. The DRI said that based on inputs, officials found gold concealed inside DJ lights. While examining a consignment, approximately 3 kg of gold was found hidden in each DJ light, leading to a total recovery of 12 kg of gold worth Rs. 9.6 crore, the officials said. Following the recovery, DRI carried out further investigation and located a nearby godown and while conducting searched at the godown, the DRI officials found 68 additional DJ lights with hidden cavities used for smuggling gold in the same manner, the officials added. Two suspects allegedly involved in the smuggling operation have been arrested in connection with the matter. Investigations suggest that the smuggling syndicate has likely used this method to bring large quantities of gold into the country in the past, the official said. "The recent seizure marks a significant success for DRI against gold smuggling syndicates. In fact, DRI Mumbai has seized approximately 48 kg of smuggled gold in the past week alone," said an official.
18 January,2025 01:33 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanActing on intelligence inputs, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Mumbai officers intercepted a passenger who arrived in India from Nairobi on 17 January 2025 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport. During the search of the passenger's belongings, officers uncovered drugs ingeniously concealed within the handbag in his possession. A detailed examination revealed that the white powdery substance, suspected to be cocaine, had been skilfully hidden between the outer and inner layers on both sides of the bag. The substance, weighing a total of 2,662 grams, was subjected to a field test, which confirmed the presence of cocaine. The illicit market value of the seized narcotics is estimated to be approximately Rs 26.62 crore. The drugs were confiscated under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the passenger was placed under arrest by the authorities. The DRI has stated that further investigations into the case are currently underway to trace the source and intended recipients of the consignment. Mumbai Customs seize 5 kg marijuana hidden in food packets and wrapped in gift paper, one held at airport The Mumbai Customs on Monday said that it has seized 5 kilograms of marijuana at airport that was hidden in food packets and wrapped in gift paper. The officials said that one person was held in connection with the matter. An official statement stated that the officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI) made a significant drug bust when they intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok. They seized over 5 kilograms of marijuana, estimated to be worth Rs 5.07 crores. The officers at Mumbai Airport demonstrated exceptional vigilance showcasing the effectiveness of their profiling and surveillance efforts, it said. The purported marijuana also called as ganja was concealed in food packets and boxes wrapped with gift wrappers which were placed inside the trolley bag carried by the passenger. One person was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985, the statement said. "Mumbai airport continues to exemplify stringent security measures, ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers by thwarting illegal activities," the statement said.
18 January,2025 12:27 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanA 34-year-old Bangladeshi national, Ehsan Hafiz Shaikh, was arrested by Pune city police on Friday after it was discovered that he had been residing illegally in India for the past two decades. According to ANI, Shaikh, who had been living in the Maharshi Nagar area of Pune, was taken into custody after being brought to the Swargate police station by activists from the Patit Pavan Sanghatna, who suspected him of being a Bangladeshi citizen. This led to the filing of an FIR at the Swargate police station, triggering an investigation into Shaikh’s status in the country. Investigations revealed that Shaikh originally hails from Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Police also discovered several mobile phone numbers belonging to his relatives in Bangladesh, further confirming his origins. As per ANI, it was uncovered that Shaikh had entered India illegally in 2004 by crossing the international border without the necessary permits. In order to establish a false identity, he allegedly procured a fake birth certificate from Kolkata with the assistance of agents. This fraudulent document enabled him to obtain a series of other official documents, including an Indian passport, which facilitated his continued stay in India without detection. The FIR also outlined the recovery of a substantial number of forged documents and items from Shaikh’s residence during a search operation. Among the seized items were seven Aadhaar cards, two voter identity cards, two driving licences, seven PAN cards, four passports, nine debit and credit cards, one universal pass, eight birth certificates, and various foreign currencies from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar. In addition, the police confiscated Shaikh’s mobile phone, SIM cards, business documents, and a house rent agreement. He had been residing in Pune since 2009, working at several locations before finally settling in Maharshi Nagar in 2012, where he opened a garment shop. ANI reports that the police have charged Shaikh under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically Sections 318, 336, 338, and 340, alongside relevant sections of the Passport Act and Foreigners Act. Further investigations are underway to determine the extent of his illegal activities and connections. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to detect and prevent illegal immigration in India, with Shaikh’s case serving as a significant example of the exploitation of forged documents and the challenges faced in tracking down long-term illegal residents.
18 January,2025 12:06 PM IST | MumbaiPolice have seized gutka worth Rs 9.37 lakh being transported from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh and arrested the driver of a luxury bus in Thane district in Maharashtra, an official said on Saturday, PTI reported. As per PTI, a team from the local crime branch intercepted the vehicle at Golban village on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway in Shahapur on Thursday night, Superintendent of Police (Thane Rural), Dr D S Swamy said. He said that gutka worth Rs 9.37 lakh was found in the luxury bus heading to Thane from Indore. The official said the bus driver, Joginder Prasad Shah (54), has been arrested under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, PTI cited. Earlier, an official said that the police recently seized the banned gutka valued at Rs 8.42 lakh from a tempo and arrested its driver in Maharashtra's Thane district, reported news agency PTI. The tempo was spotted opposite the Karivali police chowki in the Bhiwandi area. During checking of the vehicle, the police found gutka being transported in it, the official from Bhoiwada police station said while sharing an update on the Thane crime, reported PTI. The gutka was seized and the vehicle was impounded. The 39-year-old tempo driver was arrested, the official said. During interrogation, the driver told the police that a man from Gaibibi Nagar had ordered the stock, the official said while sharing an update on the Thane crime, reported PTI. A case was registered against the accused under relevant legal provisions, the police added. Thane: Banned gutka, tobacco products of Rs 5.3 lakh seized from tempo; driver held An official said that police have arrested a 22-year-old tempo driver after seizing the banned gutka and tobacco products valued at Rs 5.32 lakh from his vehicle in Maharashtra's Thane district, reported news agency PTI. A police team spotted the tempo on K B Road in Ambernath area on October 6 and intercepted it on the basis of suspicion, reported PTI. During a search, the police found the Banned gutka, tobacco products in the vehicle, the official said. The police enquired with the tempo driver, who could not give a satisfactory reply about the banned goods following which he was arrested, reported PTI. A case was registered against the driver under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the FDA regulations, the official said, reported PTI. The police were trying to find out the source of the goods and to whom the accused planned to sell them, he added. (With inputs from PTI)
18 January,2025 09:47 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe assailant who attacked Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan in his Bandra residence remains on the run, despite over 30 police teams being deployed to apprehend him. Meanwhile, a Maharashtra minister has ruled out any connection to the underworld in the incident, according to PTI reports. Police officials revealed on Friday that the intruder, who stabbed Khan (54) during a burglary attempt in the early hours of Thursday, likely had no idea about whose house he had entered. "Our investigation suggests this was a stray incident. The intruder does not appear to be linked to any gang," a senior police official said. A carpenter resembling the attacker, as seen in CCTV footage, was briefly detained by Bandra police on Friday morning but was later released after his alibi was verified. "The person detained has been released after his alibi checked out. He is not connected to the incident. The investigation remains ongoing, and we are exploring all angles," the official confirmed. The suspect, whose face was captured on CCTV wearing a red scarf and carrying a backpack, was seen fleeing from the sixth floor of Khan's residence, 'Satguru Sharan,' at around 2.30 am. Maharashtra’s Minister of State for Home (Urban), Yogesh Kadam, reiterated that the motive was robbery and ruled out the involvement of underworld gangs. The actor, who suffered stab wounds to his neck, back, and hands, underwent emergency surgery at Lilavati Hospital. According to Dr Nitin Dange, the neurosurgeon leading the treatment, Khan’s condition has shown significant improvement. "The actor sustained four major wounds, including a deep stab injury to the spine that caused spinal fluid leakage. Surgery was performed to repair the damage, and the knife fragment lodged in his spine was successfully removed," Dr Dange explained. He added that if the knife had gone just 2mm deeper, it could have resulted in severe neurological damage. Khan is currently under observation, though his recovery is on track. “We moved him from the ICU to a special room, and he is walking well. However, we have advised bed rest for the coming week to prevent infection,” Dr Dange said, noting that his movements, as well as visitors, are being restricted for faster healing. An image of the knife blade removed during the surgery has gone viral on social media, further intensifying public interest in the case. In a heartfelt detail, Dr Dange remarked, "When Mr Khan arrived at the hospital, soaked in blood, he walked in like a lion, accompanied by his young son Taimur." Autorickshaw driver Bhajan Singh Rana, who ferried Khan to the hospital, has been lauded for his quick response. Rana, however, stated that he was unaware of his passenger's celebrity status until they reached the hospital. "When he called out to the security guard saying, ‘I am Saif Ali Khan,’ I realised who he was," Rana recounted. (With inputs from PTI)
18 January,2025 09:34 AM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
