Saif Ali Khan update: Accused apprehended by RPF from Jnaneswari Express, identity confirmed, picture released

The suspect has been identified as Aakash Kanojia.

New Delhi: DG RPF Manoj Yadav told Zee News that we received information from Juhu Police at 12:30 PM today, January 18, that the accused in the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was traveling on the Jnaneswari Express. After that, we formed a team and apprehended the accused. It has been confirmed that this is the same person that the Mumbai Police were looking for.

The suspect identified as Aakash Kanojia, aged 32-33 years, will be handed over to the Mumbai Police. The RPF also shared the picture of the accused.

Actor Saif Ali Khan attack case: Picture of the suspect Akash Kanojia detained from Durg, Chhattisgarh in connection with actor Saif Ali Khan attack case

Information about this suspect was received from Assistant Police Inspector Juhu Police Station, Mumbai Police that a suspect… https://t.co/AG0B92zqmq pic.twitter.com/AA9HEU4Iaj

— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2025

This comes days after Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked at his Bandra residence in Mumbai

According to the IG of RPF SECR Zone Bilaspur, Munawar Khursheed, RPF Raipur division had received information from the Mumbai police about the suspect travelling from the train.

“The Raipur division of RPF received information from the Mumbai police that a suspect involved in the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan was travelling by the Jnaneswari Express train. The suspect, named Aakash Kanojia, aged 32-33 years, was detained from Durg. He will be handed over to Mumbai police, who will carry out the further investigation,” Khursheed told ANI.

Providing further details, the RPF in-charge at Durg, Sanjay Sinha, said after the suspect was held, the RPF contacted the Mumbai Police officials through a video call, to confirm his identity.

“We got information from Mumbai Police that a suspect was travelling by the Jnaneswari Express train. They shared his photo and tower location. Based on that, we checked the general coach and found him. Mumbai Police officials were contacted through a video call, and the suspect’s identity was confirmed. He has been detained. Further interrogation of the suspect will be done by Mumbai Police,” Sinha said.

A team from Mumbai Police is expected to arrive in Raipur today to take custody of the suspect, the police said.

Mumbai Police have formed 20 teams as part of an extensive investigation to locate the assailant. Additionally, police are examining CCTV footage and questioning over 30 individuals, including the actor’s staff and people seen in the vicinity of his residence that night.

Saif Ali Khan’s wife and actress Kareena Kapoor also recorded her statement in the case with Bandra Police on Friday.

(With ANI inputs)