Telangana Police revealed on Tuesday that Sajid Akram, the 50-year-old gunman fatally shot after attacking a Hanukkah gathering with his son at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, maintained virtually no connection with his Hyderabad-based family following his migration to Australia nearly three decades earlier.
Authorities emphasized no evidence suggests his radicalization originated in India or stemmed from any Telangana-based influence.
Telangana Police Findings on Sajid Akram
- Sajid Akram originally hailed from Hyderabad and relocated to Australia approximately 27 years ago in November 1998 after earning his B.Com degree.
- He subsequently married an Australian woman of European descent and established permanent residence in Australia.
- Sajid maintained Indian passport status, while his son Naveed Akram (24) and daughter were Australia-born and hold Australian citizenship.
- Authorities confirmed Sajid had “limited contact” with his Hyderabad family throughout the 27-year period.
- He returned to India on six separate occasions after emigration, primarily addressing family matters including property issues and visiting aging parents.
- Sajid did not return to India when his father passed away, police noted.
- Indian family members stated they possessed no awareness of Sajid Akram’s purported extremist ideology or actions.
- The circumstances leading to the radicalization of Sajid Akram and his son “appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana,” authorities confirmed.
- Telangana Police reported no negative records exist regarding Sajid Akram during his residence in India before his 1998 departure.
- Officials pledged cooperation with central agencies and relevant counterparts as needed while requesting the public and media refrain from speculation.
The Bondi Beach Attack
Sajid Akram and his son Naveed launched gunfire at a Hanukkah event at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday, resulting in 15 fatalities.
Sajid died during subsequent gunfire exchange with police, bringing the total death count to 16, while Naveed remains hospitalized in critical condition under police supervision.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has characterized the shooting as a deliberate terrorist assault targeting Jewish Australians.
