In a significant development related to the Bondi Beach attack investigation, the Director General of Police (DGP) for Telangana has disclosed detailed travel records of the assailant, Joel Akram, to the city of Hyderabad. The official confirmed that Akram made a total of six visits to Hyderabad over a span of more than two decades.
Detailed Travel Timeline to Hyderabad
According to the statement from the state's top police official, Akram first moved to Australia in the year 1998, seeking better life opportunities. His first recorded trip back to Hyderabad occurred in 2000. This was followed by subsequent visits in the years 2004, 2009, 2012, 2016, and most recently in 2022.
This pattern indicates repeated contact with the city over a long period, a detail that is now a focal point for investigative agencies trying to piece together his background and potential local connections.
The Australian Connection and Investigation
The revelation places a new dimension on the profile of Joel Akram, the individual behind the violent incident at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach. While his life in Australia since 1998 formed the primary backdrop, his recurring travels to the capital of Telangana suggest maintained ties to India.
Authorities are now meticulously examining the nature and purpose of these Hyderabad visits. Investigators are looking into whom he met, where he stayed, and what activities he undertook during each of these six trips. The 2022 visit, being the most recent, is under particular scrutiny for any immediate triggers or planning activities.
Implications and Ongoing Probe
The disclosure by the Telangana DGP is crucial for the multi-agency investigation unfolding across international lines. It helps map the attacker's movements and potential influences over time. Indian security agencies are likely coordinating closely with their Australian counterparts to share intelligence gathered from his history in Hyderabad.
The key facts remain: Joel Akram was based in Australia from 1998 and returned to Hyderabad on six specific occasions—2000, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2016, and 2022. Understanding the context of these journeys is now a priority for law enforcement to build a complete picture of the events leading up to the Bondi Beach attack.