Sajid Akram, 50, the main accused in the shooting that took place on December 14, 2025 at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, was a native of Hyderabad. 16 people were killed and many were injured in this attack. On Tuesday, 16 December 2025, Telangana Police issued a statement and confirmed this. According to the police, Sajid and 24-year-old son Naved Akram are suspected to be inspired by ISIS ideology. However, his fanaticism has no connection with India or Telangana.
What is the background of Sajid Akram?
Sajid Akram was born in Hyderabad. He completed his B.Com degree here. He went to Australia in November 1998 in search of a job. There he married Venera Grosso, a woman of European origin, and settled permanently. Sajid has two children, son Naved and a daughter. Naved and daughter were born in Australia, hence they are Australian citizens. Sajid still held an Indian passport.
According to the police, there was no criminal record against Sajid before leaving India in 1998. After going to Australia, he came to India only 6 times. After coming to India, Sajid met his elderly parents and resolved property matters. However, he did not come to India even at the time of his father’s death. In the last 27 years, Sajid had very little contact with his Hyderabad family.
Sajid’s ancestral house is located in Hyderabad
Sajid’s ancestral house is in Al Hasnath Colony in Toli Chowki area of ​​Hyderabad. His elder brother Dr. Shahid Akram took the responsibility of this house in 2022 after settling the property matters. After the news of the Australia incident came, Shahid locked his house and went somewhere to avoid the media and police. The house has been lying vacant for the last few days.
#WATCH Telangana: Special Branch officials of Hyderabad Police collect details from the neighbors of Dr Shahid Akram, reported to be a brother of Sydney’s Bondi Beach mass shooting accused, Sajid Akram, in Tolichowki of Hyderabad.
The accused is originally from Hyderabad. pic.twitter.com/CbSA1Djyqj
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
Sajid’s family members gave statement to the police
The family members told the police that they had no knowledge of Sajid’s radical thinking or activities. He does not know when and how Sajid and Naved became fanatics. Sajid’s father worked in UAE Military. No one in Sajid’s family is ready to make an official statement or talk to the media.
What happened in Australia?
Sajid and Naved opened fire on 14 December 2025 during the Hanukkah celebration of the Jewish community on Bondi Beach. Australian police described the attack as a terrorist incident inspired by ISIS. Sajid was killed in police firing, while Naved is injured and is in the hospital. IED and ISIS flags were recovered from his car.
This incident has nothing to do with India
Telangana Police clearly said that the fanaticism of Sajid and Naved has no link with India or Telangana. The investigation is in the hands of Australian authorities. Police have appealed to people not to spread rumours. This incident is a big shock for the Hyderabad family, who were away from Sajid for years.
