12 January,2026 07:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
He intentionally pushes the victim and immediately starts arguing, aggressively demanding an apology by repeatedly saying “sorry bol”. As the argument escalates, he blocks the victim’s path, grabs their collar or gestures threateningly, keeping them distracted and focused on the confrontation
A bollywood line has spilt onto Mumbai's streets, with crime as the plot twist. Inspired by actor Sunny Deol's popular dialogue "Sorry bol" from the film Jatt, a habitual offender allegedly turned on-screen bravado into a real-life trick to snatch gold chains.
Police said the accused deliberately bumped into pedestrians to provoke confrontations, aggressively forcing them to apologise. Amid the confusion, fear and distraction, he would swiftly yank the victim's gold chain and disappear into crowded lanes. The unusual but brazen modus operandi came to an end with the Kasturba Marg police station arresting the suspect, bringing a dramatic halt to a crime spree straight out of a movie script.
The accused randomly approaches pedestrians on busy streets, deliberately positioning himself close to unsuspecting victims to initiate contact and create an opportunity for confrontation
Police identified the accused as Sadik Mohammed Akhtar Khan, 36, a resident of Bhiwandi and a history-sheeter. Officers said Khan intentionally pushed passers-by to trigger arguments. During the heated exchange, he would force the victim to say âsorry', keeping them engaged just long enough to remove the gold chain unnoticed. One such incident was reported by a 43-year-old private company employee from Borivli East. In his statement, the complainant said that on December 13 last year, around 7.20 pm, he was walking home from Borivli station when an unknown man suddenly pushed him near SBI Bank at Raidongri, Dattapada.
The man accused him of not apologising and forced him to say "sorry". When the complainant tried to walk away, the accused blocked his path, grabbed his collar and continued arguing. After the man finally moved on, the complainant realised within moments that his gold chain, worth around R90,000, was missing.
Suspecting theft during the staged altercation, he approached the Kasturba Marg police and lodged a complaint. A case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 303(2).
Using the chaos and confusion as cover, the accused swiftly snatches the gold chain from the victim's neck and flees into the crowd. Moments later, after the argument ends and the accused has vanished, realisation dawns on the victim. illustration/Uday Mohite
Under the guidance of DCP Mahesh Chimate and Senior Inspector Jairaj Ranaware, PSI Dheeraj Waykos and his detection team analysed CCTV footage and arrested Khan from Bhiwandi on January 7. Further investigation revealed that Khan has more than 25 criminal cases registered against him across Mumbai and Thane, including Chembur, Tilaknagar, Vile Parle, Mahatma Phule Nagar, Thane, and Bhiwandi. He had earlier served an eight-year prison sentence under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. Most of his offences involve chain-snatching and theft, and police suspect he may be linked to similar cases across the city.
Sadik Mohammed Akhtar Khan, 36, a resident of Bhiwandi and a history-sheeter. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Police also said Khan lives with his family in Bhiwandi, and one of his brothers is contesting the upcoming civic elections as an independent candidate. Investigators are now probing whether Khan used the same method in other cases and are trying to recover additional stolen property.
