Indian police have confirmed that Sajid Akram, the man killed after opening fire with his son at a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, hailed from the southern Indian state of Telangana.
Telangana Police issued a statement on Dec. 16 to Reuters confirming that Akram left India nearly three decades ago and had minimal contact with his family after migrating to Australia.
Authorities said there was no evidence linking his radicalisation to India or any local influence in the state.
Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, are accused of killing 15 people and injuring dozens more in what Australian authorities have classified as a terrorist attack.
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed has just woken up from a coma.
Telangana Police Response
In a statement widely reported across Indian media, Telangana Police said Sajid Akram migrated to Australia in November 1998 after completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hyderabad.
He later married an Australian woman of European origin and settled permanently in Australia. Sajid Akram continued to hold an Indian passport, while his children were born in Australia and are Australian citizens.
Authorities said Akram maintained “limited contact” with family members in Hyderabad over the past 27 years. He returned to India on six occasions, mainly for family-related matters.
Police said Akram did not travel to India at the time of his father’s death.
Relatives told investigators they had no knowledge of any extremist views or activities.
“There is no adverse record against Sajid Akram during his stay in India prior to his departure in 1998,” police said.
Telangana Police also said they would cooperate with central agencies and international counterparts as required. They urged the public and media to avoid speculation.
