Sajid Akram, a 50-year-old man who, along with his son, carried out a deadly shooting at Australia’s famous Bondi Beach on Sunday, was originally from Hyderabad, Telangana police confirmed. Sajid died during a gunfight with the police, while his son was injured. The information was confirmed by Telangana police.
Telangana Police said on Tuesday that Sajid Akram had very limited contact with his family in Hyderabad for nearly three decades.
Police said Akram did not return to India even after his father’s death, highlighting the long-standing estrangement from his family.
According to the police, Akram moved to Australia in November 1998 after completing a B.Com degree in Hyderabad. He later married Verena Grosso, a Christian woman of European origin. After the marriage, his contact with his family reduced sharply.
Relatives told the police that they had minimal interaction with him over the past 27 years. A report by The News Minute quoted Akram’s brother, who lives in Hyderabad, as saying that the family had cut off ties with him following his marriage.
The brother, who was not named, said Akram left Hyderabad more than 25 years ago and that the family had not been in touch with him for many years.
Telangana Police said Akram returned to India only six times after settling in Australia. These visits were mainly related to property matters and to see his elderly parents.
“He did not come back even after his father’s death,” the police said, adding that this showed the extent of the family’s separation.
In a statement, Telangana Police said family members had no knowledge of Akram’s alleged radical views or activities. They also said they were unaware of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation.
Police further stated that the reasons behind the radicalisation of Akram and his son appeared to have no connection with India or with any local influence in Telangana.
