India News

Facial recognition confirms identity of accused in Saif Ali Khan stabbing case

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2025

Saif Ali Khan stabbing suspect identified through facial recognition technology

Mumbai Police have verified the identity of the accused in the stabbing of actor Saif Ali Khan using facial recognition technology. Mohammad Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, was confirmed as the individual captured on CCTV footage at the crime scene, officials said.

Islam allegedly broke into Khan’s apartment on the 12th floor of a Bandra high-rise in the early hours of January 16 with the intent to commit robbery. When confronted by the 54-year-old actor, Islam allegedly stabbed him six times before fleeing the scene.

Khan was immediately taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. One of the wounds came dangerously close to his spinal cord, leading to a spinal fluid leak. After five days of hospitalization, he was discharged and advised strict bed rest.

Arrest and political connections

Islam was apprehended on January 19 in Thane, a neighboring city of Mumbai. His father, Mohammed Ruhul Amin, in a conversation with media, claimed that his son had fled Bangladesh due to political persecution. Amin alleged that Islam was affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and was targeted under the long rule of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina.

Despite acknowledging his son’s political past, Amin denied his involvement in the crime, asserting that the person captured on CCTV was not Islam. He claimed Islam had a distinct facial structure and hairstyle different from the suspect in the footage. Furthermore, he questioned the credibility of the CCTV visuals used to identify him.

Legal developments and forensic contradictions

A Mumbai court recently rejected the police’s request for an extension of Islam’s custody, citing a lack of new evidence. The Bandra magistrate’s court ruled that while police can seek custody again if new developments emerge, Islam would remain in judicial remand for now.

Under India’s revised criminal code, authorities can seek police custody for up to 15 days within a 40- or 60-day period, depending on the gravity of the offense.

Despite the strong facial recognition match, forensic investigations have thrown up contradictions. Fingerprint analysis conducted by the CID failed to match Islam’s prints with those collected from the crime scene. This unexpected result raised concerns, but authorities proceeded with further forensic tests on items recovered from the crime scene, including the suspect’s clothing, a knife, a towel, and a bag.

Illegal entry and alleged motive

Investigators suspect that Islam entered India illegally from Bangladesh, changing his name to Bijoy Das upon arrival. He reportedly spent time in Kolkata before relocating to Mumbai.

Police are now tracking individuals who may have aided Islam’s illegal entry and stay in India. According to his statement, Islam was promised fake Indian identity documents in exchange for money, which allegedly motivated him to commit the robbery at Khan’s residence.

Wrongful detention controversy

The case also saw a wrongful arrest when Akash Kanojia, a 31-year-old man, was mistakenly taken into custody following a tip-off. Kanojia, who was arrested while traveling on a train in Chhattisgarh, later claimed that the incident devastated his life.

Speaking to media, Kanojia said he lost his job as a driver and even had a marriage proposal withdrawn due to the stigma of being a suspect in the high-profile case. His father, Kailash Kanojia, condemned the police’s actions, stating that his son had suffered immense mental trauma.

Mumbai Police defended the mistaken detention, stating that preliminary questioning and detentions are routine during complex investigations.

Ongoing investigation

Despite the fingerprint mismatch, authorities remain confident in the facial recognition findings and other forensic evidence. The investigation continues as police work to determine how Islam entered India and whether he received assistance in forging documents.

With multiple twists in the case, including forensic inconsistencies and a wrongful arrest, the probe into the Saif Ali Khan stabbing incident remains far from over.

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Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

1 hour ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

6 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

11 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.