Mumbai court rejects Shariful’s guilty plea in Saif Ali Khan attack case

Shariful will face trial in the case alleging an attack on actor Saif Ali Khan and an attempted burglary at Khan’s Bandra residence.

A Mumbai sessions court rejected Shariful’s request to plead guilty and seek leniency in sentencing during a virtual hearing on Friday. He is in judicial custody.

The court told him he could engage a lawyer at the state’s expense. Court records showed that a legal-aid advocate was already representing him in another matter, while Shariful said lawyers who had appeared earlier were not engaged by him.

Charges have been framed against him, including dacoity, house trespass and alleged violations of laws governing entry and stay in India. He has denied the charges in court.

The prosecution submitted a list of seized evidence, which the court accepted under procedure. The matter is scheduled for September 24, when the court is expected to take up evidence and Shariful’s pending bail application.