MUMBAI: A sessions court on Friday rejected the guilty plea of Shariful Islam, the Bangladesh man accused of attacking actor Saif Ali Khan and attempting to burgle his Bandra home last Jan 16.During a virtual hearing, the court declined his request for leniency through the guilty plea, paving the way for the trial to begin on charges of armed robbery and dacoity.The court informed Shariful that “he can engage an advocate at the expense of the state if he wants”.Charges have also been framed against Shariful, who is in judicial custody, under the Foreigners Act and Passport (Entry into India) provisions for allegedly entering and staying in the country illegally.The maximum punishment attracted in the case is life term.Upon an oral prayer for legal aid from Shariful, the court verified the case records. While three advocates had appeared for the accused in the morning session, the accused informed the court that the advocates were not engaged by him.Records subsequently revealed that an advocate from Legal Aid Defence Counsel System is already representing him in another courtroom.During the proceedings, the prosecution also filed a list of seized evidence, prompting the court to issue the order, “Office to accept the muddemal as per rules.”It then adjourned the matter to Sept 24 for evidence and bail application hearings.The latest development follows Shariful’s Aug 28 move to plead guilty before the sessions court and pray for leniency in sentencing.
