A court rejected Shariful Islam’s guilty plea in the Saif Ali Khan attack case
MUMBAI: A sessions court on Friday rejected the guilty plea of Shariful Islam, the Bangladesh man accused of attacking actor Saif Ali Khan and attempting to burgle his Bandra home last Jan 16.
The court informed Shariful that “he can engage an advocate at the expense of the state if he wants”. During a virtual hearing, the court declined his request for leniency through the guilty plea, paving the way for the trial to begin on charges of armed robbery and dacoity. Charges have also been framed against Shariful, who is in judicial custody, under the Foreigners Act and Passport (Entry into India) provisions for allegedly entering and staying in the country illegally.
The latest development follows Shariful’s Aug 28 move to plead guilty before the sessions court and pray for leniency in sentencing. Upon an oral prayer for legal aid from Shariful, the court verified the case records. the accused informed the court that the advocates were not engaged by him While three advocates had appeared for the accused in the morning session. During the proceedings, the prosecution also filed a list of seized evidence, prompting the court to issue the order, “Office to accept the muddemal as per rules.