Bondi Beach Shooter's Family in India Cut Ties Over Christian Marriage

A Sydney gunman's Hyderabad-based family has revealed they severed ties 27 years ago after he married a Christian woman. Sajid Akram, one of the two individuals involved in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, left India in 1998 after completing his degree and marrying Venera Grosso. The family's decision to cut ties was reportedly due to the interfaith marriage. According to Telangana Police, Sajid visited India only six times after migrating to Australia, mainly for property matters and to meet his elderly parents. His estrangement from the family was further highlighted by his failure to return to India even after his father's death. Authorities stated that the family had no knowledge of Sajid's radicalization or activities. Police investigations found that factors leading to his radicalization appear to have no connection with India or local influences in Telangana.