Ambani bomb scare: Devendra Fadnavis demands probe in API Sachin Vaze’s role

Before the vehicle owner’s death was reported, Fadnavis had alleged in the state Assembly that API Sachin Vaze was in touch with him. File pic

Demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the suspicious death of the owner of the explosives-laden vehicle found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence last month, opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis has also raised questions over the role of a senior Mumbai police officer in the case.

The owner of the vehicle, Mansukh Hiren, was found dead on Friday. Before the death was reported, Fadnavis had alleged in the state Assembly that Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze was in touch with the owner of the vehicle which was found near the Ambani residence. He demanded security cover for Hiren who had reported that his vehicle was stolen.

Fadnavis also demanded to know why Vaze was made an investigating officer and later replaced by an assistant commissioner of police to probe the incident reported on February 26. He cited call records between the police officer and the owner. He claimed that the two knew each other because both stay in Thane and have been talking over the phone for a long period. He demanded the person who the vehicle owner met at the city police headquarters after his car broke down in Thane be identified. He said the app taxi driver who ferried the vehicle owner had seen the two persons meeting at the police HQ. The taxi operating service could provide a travel record of the particular day, he added.

Devendra Fadnavis, BJP leader. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

"Vaze reached the spot near Ambani home where the vehicle was found before the local police officials could reach. He also found a threat letter. An organisation called Jaish-ul-Hind was reported to have taken the responsibility for the act, but the outfit denied its role. This creates a big doubt," he said.

Later in the day, Fadnavis reiterated in the house that the matter be given to the NIA. "The crucial witness in the case is missing now. The case has taken a serious turn. There is something fishy," he said adding that he would write to the Centre to take over the probe.

Minister speak

In response, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh asked for evidence from Fadnavis and others, and wondered whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was taking Vaze's name because the officer had arrested news anchor Arnab Goswami. This evoked a strong reaction from the Opposition which demanded the remarks expunged from the day's business.

"The Mumbai, Thane and Maharashtra police are capable of investigating any crime," said Deshmukh. Congress leader Nana Patole said if the NIA can take over the Koregaon-Bhima case, it can also have this case without asking the state.

Parliamentary affairs minister Anil Parab asked why the BJP which trusted and honoured the police during their regime questioned them, and added that the NIA had already made inquiries in the case.