Antilia Bomb Scare: NIA takes over Mansukh Hiren’s death case after MHA's approval

In latest development, National Investigation Agency will now probe alleged murder of businessman Mansukh Hiren after receiving approval from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), as per sources. Mumbai Police's Anti-Terrorism Squ, which was probing alleged murder of Mansukh Hiren, will now hand over case to NIA which is also investigating Antilia bomb scare probe. Now suspended Mumbai police API Sachin Vaze was arrested by NIA on Saturday night under Sections 286, 465, 473, 506(2), 120 B of IPC, and 4(a)(b)(I)Explosive Substances Act 1908 for his alleged role & involvement in an explosives-len vehicle being placed near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house Antilia in Mumbai on February 25. Meanwhile, NIA officials also reached Sachin Vaze's residence on Saturday. 

NIA recreates crime scene with Vaze

Earlier on Friday night, NIA and Forensic team took suspended Mumbai API Sachin Vaze on Friday night to crime scene where explosive-len Scorpio was found outside Antilla on February 25, to recreate crime scene. Visuals from site showed Vaze was me to walk to site where car was found, as spotted in CCTV footage on that night. Moreover, Vaze was also me to wear an over-sized Kurta, a mask and a handkerchief over his he to recreate 'PPE-wearing' man spotted approaching car on February 25.

Earlier in day, sources at NIA stated that agency suspects that white Landcruiser Pro car seized allegedly from Sachin Vaze's house was used to carry gelatin sticks on February 25. gelatin sticks were n transferred to Scorpio car parked outside Ambani residence  (Antilla), state sources. NIA is now thoroughly examining car for gelatin traces. Currently, Vaze is in NIA custody till March 25, in connection to Antilla bomb scare case.

NIA seizes several luxury cars

Earlier in week, NIA h seized Sachin Vaze's laptop, some mobile phones, iP, and documents from his office. Later on Thursday, NIA seized several luxury cars from Vaze's office and home - including a black Mercedes and White Landcruiser Pro. Moreover, a CCTV video from February 26, one day after explosives-len Scorpio was found, shows Vaze accompanying Mansukh Hiran - owner of aforementioned Scorpio to Mumbai Crime Branch office, for questioning. NIA has now claimed that Sachin Vaze h worn excessive-sized clos (kurta-pyjamas) to conceal his identity on February 25 when explosives-len car was seen near Antilla, citing CCTV footage from site. Vaze was arrested by NIA on Saturday night for his alleged involvement in placing explosives in aforementioned car, with Hiran's wife alleging that her husband's car was allegedly in Vaze's possession since November 2020 and ex-CM Fnavis producing call records of Vaze claiming that he was in constant touch with Hiran.

Car with gelatin sticks found near Antilla

On February 25, at around 3 PM, Mumbai Police received information of a suspicious car parked outside residence of Mukesh Ambani. Police team reached spot immediately with Bomb Detection and Disposal Squ (BDDS). car (green Scorpio) was spotted by security personnel outside his residence. Loed with explosive gelatin sticks, car was towed away by bomb disposal squ. A primary investigation from CCTV revealed that car h been parked near residence since 1 AM, intervening night on between Wednesday-Thursday, a threatening letter too was found in car.

Later on March 5, Mansukh Hiren, owner of car in question, was found de at Kalwa creek - with police claiming that he committed suicide by jumping into stream. However, Hiren's wife Vimla alleged that her husband h left house on night of March 4 to meet an officer from Kandivali crime branch, and did not return home. Furrmore, autopsy results showed several abrasions on Hiran's face and a cloth stuffed into his mouth, leing to an investigation. Amid this probe, Mumbai CP Param Bir Singh has been transferred due to lapses in probe, as stated by Maharashtra state government.