New Delhi: One of the Bondi Beach shooters, Sajid Akram, a 50-year-old born in Hyderabad, left the country in 1988 to pursue higher studies in Australia, as confirmed by the Telangana Police.
Akram was spotted in India six times in nearly four decades. His primary reason for the visit was to resolve property-related disputes in Hyderabad, police stated.
Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, were involved in a shootout during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, and at least 15 people died, and several people sustained injuries in the shootout.
Akram also holds an Indian passport, and after leaving India in 1988, he has been living in Australia. His last visit to India was in 2022.
“He came to Hyderabad in 2000, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2016, and once again in 2022. During these visits, on two or three occasions, he came regarding family property matters. He came to resolve those issues. Once, he came a month after his father’s death,” the senior police officer told reporters.
The officials also confirmed that Australian police or any other agency isn’t in touch with the Telangana Police, and the inquiry was conducted on the information given by the central agencies to the Telangana Police.
Furthermore, the top official stated that Akram finished his Bachelor of Commerce degree before moving to Australia in 1988 in search of employment.
Sajid Akram’s limited contact with family in India
After moving to Australia, Akram limited his contact with his family back in Hyderabad. The officials stated that he was not in touch with his family, stressing that there was no indication of any ideological connection between Akram’s alleged radicalisation and India.
Akram’s relationship with his family soured several years ago due to family disputes, and his relatives cut ties with him long before the Bondi attack.
He had been living in Australia for the past three decades. Akram retained his Indian passport, and his son and daughter, born in Australia, received permanent residency. But Akram never secured permanent residency despite applying 27 times to obtain it. However, he was given a Resident Return Visa.