Bondi Beach: Sajid Akram Left Hyderabad in 1998 and Did Not Return to India Even After His Father’s Death

Telangana Police have issued a detailed clarification on the background of Bondi Beach shooting suspect Sajid Akram, stating that there is no indication of any connection between the deadly attack and India or Telangana, despite Akram being born in Hyderabad and holding an Indian passport at the time of the incident.

The clarification follows the December 14 mass shooting at a Hanukkah gathering near Sydney's Bondi Beach, where investigators allege that 50 year old Sajid Akram and his 24 year old son, Naveed Akram, opened fire on the crowd. Fifteen people were killed at the scene and at least 42 others were injured. Sajid Akram was later shot dead by police, taking the total death toll to 16, while Naveed Akram survived and remains under police custody in hospital.

Telangana Police said Sajid Akram grew up in Hyderabad, completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in the city and migrated to Australia in November 1998 in search of job. Officials stressed that he did not return to live in India after leaving, though he continued to hold an Indian passport during his years as an Australian resident.

After settling in Australia, Akram married a woman of European origin and the couple had two children, a son and a daughter, both Australian citizens. Family members in Hyderabad told investigators that they knew little about his life abroad, including his daily activities and social circle in Sydney.

Police highlighted that Akram's contact with relatives in Hyderabad reduced sharply after he moved overseas. According to the official note, Sajid Akram had limited contact with his family over the past 27 years. Records show that he visited India only six times, mainly to deal with property matters and to meet his ageing parents. Police also stated that he did not travel to India even at the time of his father's death.

Authorities added that checks of local records revealed no adverse information about Akram from the period before his departure in 1998, when he lived and studied in Hyderabad.

As part of the wider international investigation, Philippine authorities have confirmed that Sajid Akram held Indian nationality and Australian residency. Immigration records show that Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram arrived from Sydney on 1 November 2025, with Davao listed as their final destination, and departed the Philippines on 28 November on a return flight to Sydney.

Australian agencies are examining the trip to Davao in Mindanao, a region that has previously seen Islamic State linked activity, to determine whether it played any role in the alleged radicalisation of the father and son. Naveed Akram remains in hospital in Australia under police guard as the investigation continues.

Relatives in India have told Telangana Police that they were unaware of any extremist views 'radicalisation', suspicious online behaviour or foreign contacts involving Sajid Akram. The police statement stressed that the factors that led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the Bondi Beach shooting as a targeted terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State ideology.

Officials in India and overseas are continuing to coordinate inquiries into the case. Telangana Police have reiterated that, based on current evidence, Sajid Akram's Indian background, limited family contact in Hyderabad and brief visits for personal reasons do not indicate any Indian angle to the attack, while Australian investigators remain focused on developments in Sydney, overseas travel and possible ideological influences abroad.