Mumbai resident, Akash Kailash Kanojia (31), is facing severe consequences after being wrongfully implicated in a burglary attempt at actor Saif Ali Khan’s residence. An alert issued by Mumbai police led to his detention by railway police, causing significant damage to his personal and professional life.
Kanojia was traveling by train to meet his prospective bride when he was arrested at Durg railway station based on the false police alert. This incident not only disrupted his travel plans but also resulted in the cancellation of his marriage and the termination of his employment.
“The RPF personnel not only apprehended me, they also issued a press release with my photograph, which was shown widely by television channels and media outlets. As a result, the bride’s family cancelled the meeting with me and my employer terminated my services,” Kanojia shared with Hindustan Times journalist.
Despite providing proofs and urging the police to investigate further, Kanojia was detained and his photograph was circulated in the media, falsely identifying him as the culprit. “I told the police that I had nothing to do with the attack on Saif Ali Khan and offered to make them speak with my relatives. I also told them that they could check footage from CCTVs installed near my house to clarify their doubts. But they did not pay any heed – instead, they took my photos and circulated them in the media, claiming I was the attacker,” Kanojia recounted.
Following his release, Kanojia faced severe repercussions. His employer terminated his employment due to the negative publicity, and his marriage was called off by the bride’s family. “When I spoke to my mother (in Mumbai) after being released, she seemed very worried as my photo had been shown on all news channels and asked me to return home immediately. The next day, when I called my employer, he asked me to stop reporting for work, saying, ‘You are in legal trouble and I don’t want to get into trouble because of you’. I tried explaining the matter to him but he wasn’t willing to hear me out,” Kanojia stated.
The incident has had a profound impact on Kanojia’s life, causing significant emotional distress and financial hardship. “After what has happened, I am not sure if I will be able to get married in future,” he expressed.
Kanojia is now seeking legal recourse to clear his name and remove the incriminating images from the internet. He emphasizes the error in the police investigation, stating, “The police failed to notice a simple thing – that I have a moustache, while the person captured in CCTV cameras installed in Saif Ali Khan’s building did not have one. Yet, I had to go through this ordeal.”
