LIVE | Attack on Saif: Intruder was aggressive, did not touch gold, says Kareena

Crimes on rise, but Fadnavis busy promoting films: Maharashtra Congress chief

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Thursday claimed the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan has exposed the “breakdown” in law and order in Maharashtra, where he said celebrities, leaders of the ruling party, and citizens are unsafe.

The Congress leader demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, whom he termed “ineffective” and "weak", resign as the home minister as the rising crime rate in the state reflects the government’s failure.

The chief minister should have the courage to take concrete action instead of making hollow statements, Patole said in a statement.

Patole said the attack on the Padma Shri award-winning actor is a glaring example of the “breakdown” of law and order in Maharashtra.

“If such incidents occur in the bustling area of Bandra in Mumbai, who is safe in the city? Looking at the increasing crime rates in Mumbai, Pune, Beed, Parbhani, and Nagpur, one wonders if there is a home minister in the state at all,” Patole said.

The BJP-led Mahayuti government has allowed lawlessness to thrive, and the attack on Khan is a direct challenge to the state's law and order machinery by criminals, he claimed.

The Congress leader said criminals have become brazen under the BJP regime. “The Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with their favoured Director General of Police, have proven to be utterly ineffective,” he said.

Despite having two police commissioners in Mumbai, neither the state nor Mumbai has an effective law and order machinery.

“The growing organised crime in Beed, political backing for criminals, custodial deaths in Parbhani, the assassination of former minister Baba Siddique in Bandra, and the firing at Salman Khan's residence are serious incidents. Fadnavis has failed as the Home Minister. In Maharashtra, celebrities, leaders of the ruling party, and common citizens alike are unsafe,” he claimed.

Instead of repeating statements like “criminals won’t be spared; strict action will be taken”, the chief minister must muster the courage to take strong action, said Patole.

“With rising crime rates in the state, it is evident that Fadnavis is not taking the situation seriously. After the life-threatening attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, rather than addressing the issue, CM Fadnavis was busy promoting films,” claimed the Congress leader, referring to Fadnavis attending a special screening of Kangana Ranaut's movie Emergency.

Attack on Saif serious incident, but wrong to brand Mumbai as unsafe: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan by an intruder at his home was a serious incident, but it would be wrong to call Mumbai unsafe because of it.

Police were taking action, and the government will take steps to make the country's financial capital safer, said Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio.

"I think Mumbai is the safest among mega cities in the country. It is true that some incidents take place sometimes, and they must be taken seriously. But to say that Mumbai is unsafe due to such incidents is not right," Fadnavis told reporters.

"Mumbai's image gets maligned (due to such comments). But, to make the city safer, the government will certainly make efforts," he further said.

He was talking to the media after attending a special screening of Kangana Ranaut-directed film 'Emergency'.

Opposition leaders including state Congress chief Nana Patole have targeted Fadnavis over the attack on Saif Ali Khan, demanding his resignation as home minister. 

Trust law will take its course: Mamata

It’s very concerning to hear about the attack on noted actor Saif Ali Khan. I pray for his speedy recovery, trusting that the law will take its course and those responsible will be held accountable. My thoughts and prayers are with Sharmila Di, Kareena Kapoor, and the entire family during this difficult time: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee 

#WATCH | Mumbai: On the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Police has given you all details regarding this. What kind of attack is this, what is actually behind this and what was the intention behind the attack is all before you." pic.twitter.com/8lMegAtxNJ

— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2025

‘Not correct to call Mumbai unsafe’: Maharashtra CM’s first reaction to stabbing

"Among all the megacities in the country, Mumbai is the safest. It is true that some incidents take place sometimes and they should be treated with seriousness but to say, based on one incident, that Mumbai is unsafe would not be correct. This tarnishes Mumbai's image. But the government is working to make Mumbai even safer," the chief minister told the media.

Daya Nayak rushes to Saif's home

Top police officers are at Saif's residence, looking for more clues behind the audacious attack. Reports say that encounter specialist Daya Nayak was spotted at the flat.

Daya Nayak is an ace shooter, having gunned down around 80 underworld gangsters. 

Kejriwal slams Centre, insinuates Lawrence Bishnoi link

Reacting to the attack on the actor, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal hit out at the Centre for failing to protect citizens.

“A gangster is sitting in Gujarat jail is acting fearlessly. It seems like he is being protected,” he said in an apparent hint at notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi currently lodged in Sabarmati Jail.

"It is a matter of concern that such a big actor who lives in such a safe place is attacked in his house. This raises questions about the state and central governments. Earlier, Salman Khan was attacked, Baba Siddiqui was killed. If the government cannot provide security to such big celebrities, then what about the common people? The double-engine government can neither provide good governance nor security to the people," Kejriwal said.

The Bishnoi gang was involved in both the firing at Salman Khan’s house and the murder of Baba Siddiqui.

Shocked to hear about the attack on Saif Ali Khan. Wishing him a speedy recovery and strength to his family during this difficult time. https://t.co/nWnO1BreWS

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 16, 2025

‘Govt has failed to curb crime’

The intrusion and knife attack on Saif Ali Khan is shocking. We are relieved to hear that he is stable and recovering, and we pray that tough times are over, and he bounces back to normalcy at the earliest. The fact that it happened, however, only highlights the absolute…

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 16, 2025