Hyderabad: Sajid Akram, one of the gunmen in Sydney’s Bondi Beach shooting incident, was originally from Hyderabad and left for Australia about 27 years ago, Telangana DGP Shivdhar Reddy said.

Akram reportedly migrated to Australia in search of employment, after completing his B.com degree in Hyderabad. He moved to Australia in November 1998 and subsequently married Vanessa Grosso, a European origin woman and settled there permanently.

They have one son, Naveed (one of the two attackers) and one daughter. Sajid Akram carries Indian passport as on date and his son Naveed Akram and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens, the statement detailed.

Limited contact with family over two decades:

As per information available from his relatives in India, Sajid Akram had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years. He visited India on six occasions after migrating to Australia, primarily for family-related reasons such as property matters and visits to his elderly parents. He did not travel to India even at the time of his father’s demise, the police 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. The police said that they have no adverse record against Sajid Akram during his stay in India.

Telangana Police remain committed to cooperating with central agencies and other counterparts, as and when required, and urges the public and media to avoid speculation, the press note said.

The mass shooting at a Hanukkah event on December 14 resulted in the deaths of 15 people and one of the two attackers, Sajid Akram.