Fresh details have emerged about Bondi shooter Sajid Akram, with Telangana Police confirming that he originally hailed from Hyderabad and migrated to Australia in 1998. The disclosure comes amid global scrutiny of the deadly Bondi Beach massacre that left 15 civilians dead in what is being described as the worst terror attack on Australian soil in the last 30 years.
Sajid Akram carried an Indian passport at the time of the attack, while his son and co-accused Naveed Akram was born in Australia and holds Australian citizenship. Officials said Sajid had only limited contact with his family in India over the past 27 years.
Hyderabad Roots and Migration to Australia Bondi shooter Sajid Akram
According to Telangana Police, Sajid Akram left India for Australia in 1998 on a student visa. He later settled permanently in the country, starting a family and largely cutting off contact with relatives back home.
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Police records indicate that Sajid had no criminal or adverse history during his stay in India. Authorities stressed that there is no evidence linking his later radicalisation to any local influence or organisation in Telangana.
During the nearly three decades since his migration, Sajid reportedly visited India only six times. Family members said his engagement with relatives steadily declined after he chose to settle abroad.
Family Severed Ties After Interfaith Marriage
One of the most sensitive revelations to emerge is that Sajid Akram’s family in Hyderabad had severed ties with him years ago. Relatives told Indian media outlets that the estrangement occurred after Sajid married a Christian woman of European origin.
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His wife, identified as Venera Grosso, is a Christian by faith. The marriage reportedly caused deep rifts within the family, leading to a complete breakdown of communication.
Family sources said Sajid did not return to India even when his father passed away in 2009. Relatives also claimed that he failed to enquire about his elderly mother during her illness.
Limited Contact With Indian Family
Sajid Akram is believed to have two brothers who continue to reside in Hyderabad. However, sources said there was virtually no communication between them for many years.
A government source revealed that Sajid’s father had purchased a residential apartment in Hyderabad after returning from Saudi Arabia, but Sajid had no involvement with the family property or affairs.
Telangana Police clarified that other family members in Hyderabad are currently under scrutiny only as part of standard verification procedures, and no wrongdoing has been attributed to them so far.
Bondi Beach Massacre: What Happened
The Bondi Beach shooting took place during a gathering of Jewish civilians celebrating Hanukkah. Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly opened fire on the congregation, killing 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor.
Australian authorities described the attack as a targeted act of terror motivated by extremist ideology. Sajid Akram was killed in a police crossfire at the scene, while Naveed Akram sustained critical bullet injuries and remains hospitalised under heavy security.
Police Findings on Radicalisation
In an official statement, the Director General of Police of Telangana stated that the factors leading to Sajid Akram’s radicalisation have no connection to India.
“There is no local influence or association in Telangana linked to the actions of Sajid Akram or his son,” the statement said, emphasising that the investigation has not found any Indian network involvement.
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Australian agencies are continuing their probe into whether the attackers received any form of overseas training, funding, or ideological support.
Citizenship and Legal Status
Despite living in Australia for decades, Sajid Akram retained his Indian passport. His children, Naveed Akram and a daughter, were born in Australia and are Australian citizens.
Officials noted that Sajid’s immigration and citizenship status are being examined as part of the broader investigation, including his international travel history and alleged military-style training.
Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The Bondi Beach massacre has triggered intense debate in Australia around radicalisation, immigration screening, and lone-wolf terror attacks.
Indian authorities have reiterated their willingness to cooperate fully with Australian investigators and have shared all relevant background details related to Sajid Akram’s life in India.
As investigations continue, officials on both sides have urged against linking the actions of individuals to communities or families who had no role in the crime.
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By The News Update— Updated December 16, 2025
