The Bandra Holiday Court in Mumbai witnessed dramatic scenes on Sunday as two lawyers jostled in courtroom to represent the attacker, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case. Finally, the magistrate had to intervene to bring the focus back to trial.
Mumbai police arrested Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, the suspect in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case from Thane and he was produced in the court on Sunday. The police sought custody of the accused for further probe and to ascertain the motive behind the attack. However, while Shehzad was made to stand in the box meant for the accused in the back end of the courtroom, the court witnessed dramatic scenes as two lawyers came forward claiming to represent the accused.
When Shehzad was presented in court, the magistrate asked if he had any complaints against the police to which Shehzad replied in the negative, PTI reported. However, when he was taken to the box, a lawyer came forward claiming to be appearing for the accused. While Shehzad was about to sign the ‘vakalatamana' (legal document authorising a lawyer to appear in a case), another lawyer jostled his way to the box and took Shehzad's signature on his vakalatamana, creating confusion in the courtroom about who would appear for the accused.
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As the trial was about to lose track, the magistrate intervened and suggested both the competing lawyers to represent Shehzad. “You both can appear,” the magistrate said to diffuse the situation; the duo agreed.
Considering the police’s plea, the court granted cops five-day custody of the accused. According to police, the accused is a Bangladeshi and they suspect whether there is any international conspiracy behind the attack.
Actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked during the early hours of January 16 at his residence in Bandra when an alleged burglar managed to sneak into the house. The suspect, who allegedly entered the house for burglary, attacked the actor reportedly with a knife when a scuffle broke out. The actor underwent multiple surgeries at Lilavati Hospital and is likely to be discharged today.
