THANE: The arrest of Shariful Fakir was the result of a joint operation by Mumbai Police and Kasarvadavali police of Thane City. It came after a combing operation near Hiranandani Estate that deployed 150 cops, including several senior officers.
The operation began around 9pm on Saturday and concluded with the suspect’s arrest well into the early hours of Sunday.
Intelligence units tracked the suspect’s mobile tower location to the creek shore near Waghbil village. The search focused on marshy terrain behind a labour colony near a Metro casting yard, with teams using private and official vehicles to block potential escape routes. “The accused was discovered hiding in extremely challenging conditions, concealed under grass and dried leaves in pitch darkness,” said an officer.
The investigation revealed that Shariful chose his hiding spot based on prior knowledge of the area. Multiple teams conducted thorough searches of the labour colony. Security personnel established a cordon while search teams methodically checked every possible hiding spot. Workers at the labour camp were lined up for identification, and their mobile devices were examined for any communication with the suspect.
The final phase of the operation unfolded in a narrow lane adjacent to the labour camp, where dense vegetation and mangroves provided numerous potential hiding spots. Local resident Prathamesh Patil, a fisherman whose assistance was sought during the operation, reported: “Police knocked on my door three times throughout the night, showing photographs and seeking information about suspicious movements in the area.”
When discovered, the accused was found exhausted, having covered himself with dry leaves. He offered no resistance during the arrest and was immediately transported to Mumbai for detailed interrogation regarding the attack on the actor.
A local woman from the labour colony later revealed that the accused was previously involved in an altercation after allegedly misbehaving with her. Other workers confirmed seeing him occasionally at the camp, while security guards reported observing flashlights.
