Mumbai and Thane police captured Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammed Rohilla Amin Fakir, a Bangladeshi illegal immigrant, after a 72-hour manhunt.

MUMBAI: A manhunt that spanned three days came to a successful conclusion when Mumbai and Thane police apprehended Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammed Rohilla Amin Fakir, a 30-year-old illegal immigrant from Bangladesh.
The accused, who had entered India undetected, had already made headlines after attempting to rob and assault Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan in his Bandra residence.

Shariful’s entry into India

Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammed Rohilla Amin Fakir, also known by his alias Bijoy Das, entered India illegally through the West Bengal border sometime before 2024.
Known for the desperate job-seeking spree, Shariful’s initial attempts to settle in West Bengal didn’t pan out due to limited employment opportunities.
In June 2024, he found employment through an agent who connected him to Jitendra Pandey, a small-time manpower agency owner operating in Worli and Thane.
Pandey, seemingly unaware of Shariful’s illegal status, provided him with a housekeeping job at a popular pub in Worli. However, his tenure ended abruptly in August after pub management caught him stealing.
Despite being dismissed, Shariful managed to stay connected with Pandey, who, perhaps driven by business urgency, arranged another job for him at a restaurant in Thane in September.
Once again, Pandey’s negligence in verifying his employee’s credentials allowed Shariful to slip through unnoticed.

The deceptive identity

During his short stints in the workforce, Shariful was repeatedly asked by employers to present his Aadhaar card, a common requirement in India for identity verification.
Each time, he claimed he had “lost” his documents—a lie fabricated by a well-oiled network specializing in providing fake Aadhaar cards to illegal immigrants.
Police later discovered that Shariful had in fact used such a card to secure employment in Mumbai and Thane, facilitated by agents willing to sell fake documents for a hefty fee.

The burglary attempt

Out of work, and desperate for money, he started plotting a criminal act—planning to rob wealthy homes in areas like Bandra and Khar, where the affluent resided.
His targeting wasn’t random; he had closely studied high-value areas in Mumbai, intending to burglarise upscale flats.
On January 16, around 1.30am, Shariful entered the Satguru Sharan building in Bandra. Using climbing skills and prior knowledge, he gained entry to a luxury flat on the 11th floor.
This was no ordinary burglary. Shariful had zeroed in on a high-profile target—Saif Ali Khan’s residence.
When Shariful attempted to ransack the flat, he was spotted by the household nanny, who confronted him.
A struggle ensued, during which Shariful demanded Rs 1 crore.
When the family woke up and tried to intervene, Shariful became violent—leading to a scuffle that ended with him stabbing Saif Ali Khan and injuring others present at the scene.
In a bid to escape, Shariful fled into the night, leaving behind a trail of fear.

The hunt

The police, alerted immediately, sprang into action. A 150-member team from Mumbai and Thane, aided by CCTV footage, combed through hours of recordings across Bandra, Khar, Dadar, Worli, and Thane.
The visual evidence traced Shariful’s movements—his presence captured entering and exiting from multiple locations.
One of the crucial markers that helped identify Shariful was the color and pattern of his shoes, which appeared distinctly across multiple footage clips.
Using this, the team tracked him through Bandra station, Dadar, Worli, and ultimately to a hideout in Thane, where he had sought refuge.

The trail

After evading capture in Bandra, Shariful wandered through the area for hours, changing clothes and hiding in bushes before hopping on a train to Dadar.
From Dadar, he switched to a bus, eventually reaching Worli—where he had previously worked at a restaurant. In Worli, he sought refuge in a room shared by other workers under Pandey’s agency.
However, as news of the attack spread, Pandey, sensing trouble, tipped off the police.
This crucial lead set the authorities on a frantic chase, tracking Shariful through Mumbai to Thane, where he was ultimately found.
On January 19, after combing through 30 acres of dense vegetation near Thane Metro’s casting yard, Shariful was located by officers hiding under a pile of dry leaves, trying to remain concealed.

The confession

During interrogation, Shariful confessed to the crime, revealing his intent to rob wealthy flats in Bandra or Khar. He admitted to using fake names to secure jobs and had no idea he had entered a celebrity’s house.
Shariful had carefully plotted his escape, changing clothes and using public transport to elude capture.
His true nationality—Bangladeshi—emerged when police delved into his background.
Along with his confession to the crime, authorities discovered crucial evidence stored on his phone, including a birth certificate and family contact details from his home country.

The network

The arrest of Shariful has put the spotlight back on the well-organized network aiding illegal immigrants, many from Bangladesh, who enter India.
Agents play a significant role in helping these migrants obtain fake Aadhaar cards and secure jobs. Shariful himself had obtained a job through Jitendra Pandey, who did not verify his documents.
Once hired, such individuals blend into the labor force, working as housekeepers, construction workers, or even jewelry artisans—many times without proper documentation.
This porous system not only allows these illegal immigrants to live and work without fear but also emboldens them to commit crimes like theft and assault.
Despite repeated deportation drives, many such migrants re-enter India under new identities and continue living undetected, often finding work in low-paying jobs.
Legal repercussions
Shariful has been charged under various sections, including armed robbery and attempts to cause grievous harm (BNS sections 311, 312, and 331).
Additionally, he faces legal action under the Foreigners’ Act of 1946 and the Foreigners’ Order of 1948 for illegal entry. His apprehension sends a clear message to others in similar situations.