Mumbai Cop Arrested for Alleged Involvement in placing Explosives laden car near Mukesh Ambani's house

MUMBAI: Mumbai Police officer Sachin Vaze has been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged involvement in placing an explosives-laden vehicle last month near Reliance chief Mukesh Ambani's residence Antilia.

Vaze was arrested by the NIA after the case was taken over from the Mumbai Police's Crime Intelligence unit, which was till last week headed by Vaze. The NIA arrested Vaze after he allegedly confessed to his role in planting the car near Antilia. The assistant police inspector was questioned for nearly 12 hours by an NIA team before his arrest.

Though the officer has filed for an anticipatory bail plea at the Thane district sessions court seeking interim protection from arrest, his plea was rejected.

Vaze is also held accountable by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with two other related cases. Firstly, he was being probed in relation to the death of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran, who happens to be the owner of the Scorpio car found loaded with explosives near Ambani's residence on February 25. However, Hiran was found dead a few days ago under mysterious circumstances. The ATS is also probing another case that is related to the theft of the same vehicle. Hiran's wife has accused Vaze of being involved in her husband's death.

Meanwhile, raising objection on handing over the case to the NIA, the Shiv Sena questioned why is a central investigation agency probing a businessman's case. Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut further stated that the Mumbai Police was capable of handling the matter and there was no need for the NIA to get involved. "Repeated interference by Central agencies demoralises the Mumbai police and "creates instability," Raut was quoted.

Earlier, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis had sought Vaze's arrest. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said, "Sachin Vaze is not Osama Bin Laden. It is not right to target a person and hang him and then investigate."

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