Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 27: Akash Kanojia, a 31-year-old driver from Mumbai, whose life was turned upside down after being mistakenly detained in connection with the January 16 attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, has spoken out about the distress caused by the police action. He claims that the wrongful detention has led to the loss of his job, a broken engagement, and public shame for his family.
Kanojia was detained by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Durg, Chhattisgarh, on January 18 after a tip-off from Mumbai police, who initially suspected him in the attack. He was released the following day when a Bangladeshi national, Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir, was arrested as the actual suspect.
Saif Ali Khan was stabbed during a robbery attempt at his residence in Mumbai's Bandra area on January 16. After undergoing surgery, he was discharged from the hospital.
"My family was shocked and in tears when the media showed my pictures and wrongly claimed I was the prime suspect in the case. One mistake by the Mumbai police ruined my life," Kanojia said, emphasizing that he was wrongly identified based on the CCTV footage of the incident, which did not match his appearance.
He described how the police called him, but the conversation was abruptly cut off after he confirmed he was at home. Kanojia was detained while traveling to meet his prospective bride, and he also alleged that Mumbai police assaulted him during the detention.
After being released, Kanojia faced a series of personal and professional setbacks. His employer refused to let him return to work, and his prospective bride’s family called off the marriage talks. Furthermore, his family, which had already faced financial hardship due to the death of his brother, now had to contend with the stigma from the wrongful detention.
"I have two cases against me, but that doesn't mean I should be treated as a criminal in such a manner. I have lost everything. I plan to stand outside Saif Ali Khan's building and seek a job, as my life has been ruined," he added.
Kanojia credited divine intervention for the swift capture of the true suspect, Shariful Islam. "If not for that, I might have been wrongly accused in the case," he said, calling for justice after the wrongful detainment.
This incident highlights the severe consequences of mistaken identity and police errors, leaving an innocent man to face the repercussions of a criminal act he had no involvement in.