Mumbai, January 18 (PTI): The intruder who stabbed Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his Mumbai residence remains on the run, despite the mobilisation of over 30 police teams in search of him. Maharashtra's state minister has ruled out any connection to underworld gangs in this brutal attack.

Police Investigation: No Gang Links
Police revealed on Friday that the attacker did not appear to be working for any criminal group. Furthermore, authorities suggested that the assailant was likely unaware of the identity of the house’s occupant. “This seems to be a stray incident. The alleged intruder was not working for any gang, as per the prima facie investigation. He probably was not even aware whose house he had entered in,” said a senior police official.

In connection with the case, a carpenter was briefly detained on Friday morning, as he resembled the intruder captured in CCTV footage. However, after the police verified his alibi, he was released. “The person detained has been released. He was picked up as he looked like the intruder captured in the CCTV footage. But he had an alibi, which was verified by the police. Based on that, the detained person has been released,” clarified the senior official.

Attack Details and Ongoing Search
The attack occurred early on Thursday morning, when the intruder broke into Khan’s 12th-floor apartment and attempted a robbery. CCTV footage captured the suspect wearing a red scarf and carrying a backpack, as he hurried down the building stairs at around 2:30 am. More than 30 police teams are now working to locate the attacker.

Minister Confirms Robbery Motive
Maharashtra Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam stated that robbery was the motive behind the attack. He also dismissed any underworld involvement in the incident. “No underworld gang was involved in the knife attack,” he confirmed.

Khan’s Recovery After Surgery
Actor Saif Ali Khan, who sustained multiple stab wounds, including a serious injury to his spine, is recovering at Lilavati Hospital. Doctors said Khan’s condition is improving, and he is expected to be discharged in two to three days. “We are observing his progress, and he is doing excellently well according to our expectations. As per his progress, we have advised him bed rest, and if he is comfortable, then in two to three days, we will discharge him,” said Dr. Nitin Dange, a neurosurgeon involved in his surgery.

Incident Details and Heroic Rickshaw Driver
The actor was rushed to the hospital in an autorickshaw, where he was initially unaware of his passenger’s identity. Bhajan Singh Rana, the rickshaw driver, who is now being hailed as a hero, said he didn’t realise his passenger was the famous actor until they reached the hospital. “It was only when we reached the hospital gate that he called the guard to fetch a stretcher, saying he was Saif Ali Khan,” Rana told reporters.

Recovery and Updates
Despite being soaked in blood, Khan managed to walk into the hospital unaided, accompanied by his son, Taimur. Doctors praised the actor's resilience. "When Sir Wali Sahib came to the hospital, he was covered in blood, but he walked in like a lion with his small child, that is his 6 to 7-year-old son, Taimur,” Dr. Dange remarked.

The knife blade fragment, removed from his spine during surgery, went viral on social media. Dr. Dange highlighted that the actor was fortunate, as the knife could have caused severe damage had it penetrated just a bit further.

With PTI inputs