Saif attacker' tag costs Colaba resident his job, marriage

Cops detained Akash Kanojia mistaking him for the intruder; though they released him the next day, the damage was done

- Vinay Dalvi

MUMBAI: An erroneous alert by Mumbai police has cost 31-year-old Akash Kailash Kanojia his job as well as a prospective marriage, the Colaba resident told Hindustan Times.

Kanojia was travelling from Mumbai to Bilaspur by Jnaneswar Express on January 17 to meet his prospective bride when he was detained by railway protection force (RPF) officers at Durg station. This was after Mumbai police alerted the RPF, saying he was the person behind the foiled burglary attempt at actor Saif Ali Khan's apartment in Bandra West on January 16.

Media trial

"The RPF personnel not only apprehended me, they also issued a press release with my photo, which was shown on television channels and social media. As a result, the bride's family cancelled the meeting with me and my employer terminated my services," Kanojia said.