Locals in Worli Koliwada are calling the area where Saif Ali Khan’s assailant, 30-year-old Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, sought refuge “Mini Bangladesh.” In response to the growing number of Bangladeshis in the region, locals have voiced grave worries and even staged a protest demonstration on January 19.

According to the police, since August 2024, Fakir had been residing in a 10×10 leased room in Worli without a legitimate lease. Locals claim that many Bangladeshis live in the region without the required paperwork or leave-and-licence agreements; thus, his situation is not exceptional. Additionally, according to sources, he had been residing in Thane and would often move between homes in Worli and Thane since he was thereafter employed in Thane.

On Sunday, locals in Worli demonstrate against illegal immigration.On Sunday, locals in Worli demonstrate against illegal immigration.

Along with six other people, Fakir resided in a one-and-a-half-story building in Om Gyandeep Nagar, Worli Village, without the required paperwork. They are all suspected of being Bangladeshi nationals and work as housekeepers at different restaurants in Mumbai. Their credentials are being checked by the police. According to reports, Fakir said that he had trouble finding steady work.

Fakir’s neighbor, Aishwarya Upadhyay, stated, “The police visited our home on Saturday morning and asked us questions about the suspect. I was astounded when they showed us his picture. I was unaware that a dangerous individual was sleeping upstairs where my husband and children reside. The police must take action against the many Bangladeshis who reside in our neighborhood without legal contracts.

“After working in restaurants, these people come home late at night, around three or four in the morning,” she said. At strange hours, we often hear knocking. Except for water and food, they hardly ever leave the house. I’m afraid after this experience.

On January 19, Worli Village’s fishermen staged a demonstration in protest of the unauthorized entry of Bangladeshi immigrants. “The number of Bangladeshis in our area has increased over the past six months,” said Roshan Pawaskar, a fisherman. They have an impact on our fish-selling company in addition to living here illegally. Our livelihood is fishing, and they are causing us to lose money.

“Over the past two months, we’ve met with the police several times, asking them to conduct a survey and determine the number of Bangladeshis residing here,” he said. We want there to be no unlawful activity, including drug use and other crimes, in our neighborhood. Even the assailant of Saif Ali Khan was living here illegally.

According to police, an agent helped Fakir enter India illegally eight months ago over the Malda border. He started off at Slink & Bardot in Worli as a cleaner. When he realized that one of the patrons had dropped some cash on August 19, he came back to the eatery. After looking over the CCTV tape, we see that Fakir picked it up without telling anybody. We dismissed him right away,” Slink & Bardot executives said. He then started working as a waiter at Blabber All Day in Thane’s Kasarvadavali. The accused has been residing in Mumbai for the last seven years, according to the defense attorney, who denied police allegations.

Amit Pandey, a housekeeping contractor who allegedly assisted Fakir in escaping, was also allegedly in contact with the accused after the incident. The Shri Om services are administered by Pandey. Following the event, Pandey told Fakir that his pictures had been widely shared and suggested that he leave the city right away.

“I visited the Labour camp at Kavesar, Thane, where Mohammad Shehzad (the accused) stayed for three months,” tweeted senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. Nine of the twelve employees I met were Muslims from Bangladesh (Imman Husein, Amir Sohel, etc.). Despite lacking legitimate documentation, they assert that they are from Malda. I discussed a combing operation with the police commissioner.