What Telangana Police Revealed About Bondi Beach Terror Suspect Sajid Akram

You’ve probably seen the heartbreaking images from Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach – a place of sun, surf, and celebration turned into a scene of unimaginable horror on December 14, 2025. A father-son duo opened fire on a joyful Hanukkah event, killing 15 people in an ISIS-inspired terror attack that shocked the world. But here’s the twist that’s got everyone talking the father, Sajid Akram originally hails from Hyderabad, India. As Australian authorities lead the probe, Telangana Police have shared eye-opening details about his past.

A Normal Start in Hyderabad, Then a New Life Abroad

Sajid Akram was just an ordinary guy from Hyderabad’s Tolichowki area when he completed his B.Com degree and decided to chase opportunities overseas. In November 1998, 27 years ago, he migrated to Australia on a student visa. Telangana Police confirm he had a completely clean record in India before leaving. No red flags.

He built a whole new world for himself after moving to Australia. He settled down with his wife, Venera Grosso, and they had two kids—a daughter and a son, Naveed. While he technically kept his Indian passport, his connection to his roots faded pretty quickly as he focused on his new life.

Distant Family Ties and No Local Radical Links

Here’s what’s truly startling: Sajid visited India only six times after migrating, mostly for practical reasons like property matters or seeing elderly parents. His last trip was in 2022. Shockingly, he didn’t even return for his father’s funeral around 2009. Over the years, contact with his Hyderabad family – including his mother and brother in areas like Al-Hasnath Colony – was minimal.

When police questioned relatives, they were stunned: the family had no clue about any radical views or extremism. “We had no idea,” they reportedly said. Telangana Police, after a thorough preliminary check, found zero evidence of any local influences in India or Telangana contributing to Sajid or Naveed’s radicalization. The DGP himself stated whatever turned them toward ISIS ideology happened far from here, likely in Australia.

Tolichowki area in Hyderabad

As of December 17, 2025, Telangana Police are fully cooperating with Australian and Indian central agencies, but no new adverse findings have emerged from the Indian side.