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This is an archive article published on January 27, 2025

Tracking SIM used by Saif attack accused, Mumbai Police questions woman in Bengal village near Bangladesh border

The police team visited Bara Andolia village in Nadia’s Jhitkhapota, located near the border with Bangladesh.

Saif Ali Khan was attacked in his apartment in Mumbai and has been discharged.The accused in the Saif Ali Khan attack case has been identified as Md Shariful Islam, a Bangladesh national. (Express Photo)

A Mumbai Police team, investigating the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan earlier this month, questioned a resident of West Bengal’s Nadia district on Monday in connection with the SIM card that was allegedly being used by the main accused in the case.

The police team visited Bara Andolia village in Nadia’s Jhitkhapota, located near the border with Bangladesh. They also went to Chapra village in the district to question the woman, in whose name the SIM card was registered.

Confirming the matter, Nadia SP K Amarnath told The Indian Express: “A Mumbai Police team has come and questioned the woman in connection with the case.”

The woman has not been arrested as of Monday evening.

Police said she had moved out from her first husband’s home in Bara Andulia after his death four years ago and remarried, after which she has lived in Chapra, where she was questioned by Mumbai Police. She had taken the SIM card and phone along when she moved villages, she told police.

However, three years ago, she lost her phone while travelling to Kolkata and lost the SIM along with it, she reportedly told police.

Speaking to The Indian Express over the phone on Monday, the woman’s father said, “She lives in Chapra, but recently she had been staying in the Jhitkhapota area with her aunt. In the morning, a team from the Mumbai Police arrived, escorted by local police. They interrogated her for a few hours and left. In the evening, the team came and interrogated her again.”

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The woman’s mother said her daughter had been repeatedly questioned about how she lost her SIM and phone, where she lost it, and details about that day. “They also asked her if she is connected to the accused and whether she has a Bangladesh connection… In the morning a police team came to our village and talked to everyone here,” the mother said.

When The Indian Express had reached out to the woman last week, she said over the phone, “I had my husband’s cell phone for about four years, but then I lost the cell phone.”

The accused in the Saif Ali Khan attack case has been identified as Md Shariful Islam, a Bangladesh national.

On January 16, in the early hours, he allegedly broke into the actor’s home in Mumbai and stabbed him multiple times, leaving him seriously injured.

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Investigators said the accused used a SIM card that was registered under the name of a resident of Bara Andulia village in Bengal.

Police are now trying to determine how a SIM card from this village near the Bangladesh border was used by the accused in Mumbai.

Bara Andulia, located about two km from the Bangladesh border, is a farming village that mainly grows jute. Many of the village’s youths have migrated to Mumbai to work in hotels and bars.

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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