Court rejects plea of Bangladesh national accused of stabbing Saif Ali Khan to plead guilty

A court here on Friday rejected the plea of a Bangladesh national accused of stabbing actor Saif Ali Khan to plead guilty, saying he will have to face trial in the case.
Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife inside his 12th-floor apartment in Mumbai's upscale Bandra area on January 16 last year. Mohammad Shariful Islam was arrested two days after the incident and is currently in judicial custody.
The accused had filed an application last month expressing his willingness to plead guilty and seeking leniency from the court.
Additional Sessions Judge G P Deshmukh, however, rejected the plea and said the trial would proceed against him.
The court has adjourned the matter to September 24 for recording of evidence.
Islam has been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) with robbery involving the use of a deadly weapon, causing grievous hurt and house trespass. He has also been charged under relevant provisions of the Foreigners Act and Passport (Entry into India) Rules.
Following the attack, the 56-year-old actor underwent emergency surgery at Lilavati Hospital. He was discharged from the hospital five days later. (with inputs from PTI)









