A two-storey light yellow and green bungalow in the Tolichowki area of Hyderabad has come under focus after it was revealed that it belongs to the family of Sajid Akramone of the two gunmen who shot and killed at least 15 people at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on the evening of December 14.
A police officer said the property belongs to Akram’s father and that his elder brother lives there. However, after the identities of the two attackers were revealed, the residents — the elder brother, Dr Shahid Akram, his mother Zubera Khatun and his children — are learnt to have locked the house and fled in haste, leaving behind cars and two-wheelers. According to the officer, there is no case against any of the residents of the house.
Sajid Akram is learnt to have completed his B.Com degree while residing here and then emigrated in 1998. He is learnt to have lived in various countries, is wedded to a European, and his son was born in Pakistan. Akram is believed to have visited Hyderabad only once after he left in 1998, even skipping his father’s funeral in 2017. However, he is learnt to have made a brief visit later when his brother and he decided to sell the property but returned immediately when the sale did not go through as planned.
According to the police, after they made contact with the elder brother, Dr Shahid Akram, he, his mother Zubera Khatun and children locked the house and left. Dr Akram works at a nearby hospital.
Boys lay flowers at a flower memorial for victims of Sunday’s shooting at the Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo)
Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy said Sajid Akram completed his B.Com degree in Hyderabad and migrated to Australia in search of employment approximately 27 years ago. “He subsequently married Ms Venera Grosso, a woman of European origin, before settling permanently in Australia. They have one son, Naveed (one of the two attackers), and one daughter. Sajid Akram carries an Indian passport as on date, while his son Naveed Akram and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens,” he said.
The family members said they had “no knowledge of his radical mindset” nor of the “circumstances that led to his radicalisation”, he said.
“The factors that led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son Naveed appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana. Telangana Police have no adverse record against Sajid Akram during his stay in India prior to his departure in 1998. Telangana Police remain committed to cooperating with central agencies and other counterparts, as and when required,” he said.
