India, Sept. 12 -- The sessions court on Friday rejected the plea of Bangladeshi national Mohammad Shariful Islam, accused of attacking actor Saif Ali Khan during an attempted robbery at his Bandra residence in January 2025, to plead guilty and seek leniency, ruling that he would have to face trial in the case.

Islam first expressed willingness to plead guilty on August 28, two weeks after the court framed charges against him on August 14, when he had pleaded not guilty. He reiterated his request on Friday. The court, however, declined to accept it and posted the matter for recording of evidence from September 24.

Islam's plea to admit guilt marked a stark departure from his stand when he had sought bail. In the bail application filed t...