January 24, 2025: In a significant development in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, a Mumbai court has extended the police custody of Bangladeshi national Shariful Islam until January 29. The decision came after the state prosecutor argued for more time to gather evidence crucial to the case.

The prosecutor emphasized that key recoveries, including the shoes Shariful allegedly wore on the night of the incident, remain pending. Additionally, the investigating officer informed the magistrate that facial recognition analysis of CCTV footage from the crime scene is yet to be conducted.

Shariful’s lawyer strongly contested the police's plea, arguing that the accused was being unfairly targeted due to his Bangladeshi nationality. "The accused’s face has been widely circulated in the media, yet it does not match the CCTV footage. So, what is this face recognition process about?" the lawyer questioned.

The defense also pointed out discrepancies in the police investigation, questioning the need for additional fingerprint samples when fingerprints had already been collected.

However, the magistrate, while granting the extension, stated that the severity of the alleged offence warranted thorough interrogation and investigation. "All aspects must be examined to ascertain the innocence or guilt of the accused," the court remarked.

The stabbing incident involving Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has drawn widespread media attention. The police maintain that Shariful Islam is the prime suspect, while his defense continues to challenge the evidence presented. The case's next hearing is scheduled for January 29.