Hyderabad: Telangana Police have formally confirmed that Sajid Akram, one of the two perpetrators involved in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, was originally from Hyderabad, India. The confirmation clarifies his background and addresses public speculation following the December 14 incident that left 15 people dead during a public Hanukkah celebration.
The confirmation was issued through an official press note after coordination with Australian authorities. Police officials emphasised that while the deceased accused had historical ties to Hyderabad, there is no evidence of radicalisation, criminal activity, or any operational linkage connected to India or Telangana.
According to the press note, the attack occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Bondi Beach, Sydney, during a public Hanukkah event where a large number of civilians were gathered. The shooting resulted in the death of 15 civilians, while one of the two attackers was also killed during police action. Australian law enforcement agencies have treated the incident as a terrorist attack, and the investigation is being led by Australian police and counter-terrorism authorities. The attackers were identified as Sajid Akram (50) and his son, Naveed Akram (24).
Reports cited in the press note indicate that the perpetrators were inspired by extremist ideology, and further investigation into the ideological motivation and operational planning is ongoing under Australian jurisdiction.
Migration History and Police Verification
Telangana Police confirmed that Sajid Akram was born and raised in Hyderabad, where he completed his Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree. He migrated to Australia in November 1998, approximately 27 years ago, in search of employment, and subsequently settled there permanently.
He later married Ms. Venerra Grosso, a woman of European origin. The couple had two children—a son, Naveed Akram, who was among the attackers, and a daughter. As per official records:
- Sajid Akram continues to hold an Indian passport
- His son and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens
- Sajid Akram had limited contact with his extended family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years
Police records further show that he visited India on six occasions after migrating, primarily for family-related reasons, including property matters and visits to elderly parents. Authorities noted that he did not travel to India even at the time of his father’s death, indicating minimal engagement with his place of origin in later years.
The press note clearly states that family members in Hyderabad expressed no knowledge of Sajid Akram’s alleged radical mindset or extremist activities. They also reported being unaware of any circumstances that could have contributed to his radicalisation. Crucially, Telangana Police stated that:
- There is no evidence linking the radicalisation of Sajid Akram or his son to India
- No local influence, organisation, or individual in Telangana is connected to the incident
- The factors leading to radicalisation appear to have developed outside India
Additionally, Telangana Police confirmed that no adverse criminal record exists against Sajid Akram during his residence in India prior to his departure in 1998. No cases, intelligence inputs, or surveillance records were found linking him to unlawful or extremist activity during his stay in Hyderabad.
Inter-Agency Cooperation and Legal Position
The Telangana Police stated that they are fully cooperating with central agencies and international counterparts, including Australian authorities, in accordance with established legal and diplomatic frameworks. Officials urged media organisations and the public to avoid speculation or attribution without verified facts, particularly in cases of international terrorism involving historical personal origins but no operational connection.
From a legal standpoint, the case remains under Australian jurisdiction, with all criminal liability, prosecution, and counter-terrorism proceedings being handled under Australian law. Indian authorities’ involvement is limited to background verification and information sharing, as mandated by international cooperation protocols.
The official clarification by Telangana Police places the Hyderabad connection in its proper legal and factual context—confirming origin while firmly ruling out any local, ideological, or operational link to India. Authorities reiterated that the tragic events at Bondi Beach must be addressed through verified evidence and due legal process, without conflating geography of origin with responsibility or influence.
The investigation into the attack continues in Australia, while Indian authorities remain engaged solely for factual cooperation, as required.
