Antilia plot was an extortion plan: NIA charge sheet makes sensational claim

The explosives-laden Scorpio near Ambani’s home Antilia

The explosives-laden Scorpio parked near Mukesh Ambani's South Mumbai residence, Antilia, in February, was a design to extort crores of rupees from the renowned industrialist, and dismissed policeman Sachin Waze wanted to burst into the limelight as a supercop by cracking the case. This is the crux of the 10,000-page charge sheet filed by the NIA on Friday in the sensational bomb scare case and the murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran.

Sacked cop Sachin Waze, the main accused in the case (right) Mansukh Hiran, the Thane businessman whom the SUV belonged to

Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale while dismissing Waze and a few other policemen, for their alleged role in the case, in May had also said that Waze wrote a threatening letter to a renowned businessman to extort money for himself and others. Initially, the National Investigation Agency had said that Waze wanted to become a supercop by placing the explosives-laden Scorpio and then detecting the case.

The charge sheet says that the main motive was to extort money from the industrialist by creating terror. Later, Waze and his gang eliminated Hiran as they suspected that the case would go to the NIA and they feared Hiran might disclose everything before the agency.

"Apart from filling his and others' pockets through extortion, Waze also wanted to regain his clout as an ace detective and encounter specialist. Thus, he hatched a conspiracy to place the Scorpio laden with gelatine sticks and a threat note addressed to the chairman of a major business group near his residence," said an NIA source.

The charge sheet was submitted before the special NIA court judge Prashant Sitre. During the submission, investigating officer and superintendent of NIA Vikram Khalate was also present. The special public prosecutor demanded protection for 20 key witnesses and the court granted it. The agency submitted a report on key witnesses in a sealed envelope. NIA had earlier claimed that the witnesses in the case had been threatened.

Sachin Waze being taken to the sessions court from NIA office on Pedder Road on April 3. File pic

The probe agency also told the court that their investigation in the case continues and the court has allowed it to proceed. NIA said it has incriminating material against all the 10 accused including Waze, former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, dismissed PI Sunil Mane, API Riyazuddin Qazi. The charge sheet has testimonies of more than 300 hundred witnesses, digital and documentary evidence.

"During investigation, incriminating evidence came to the fore against the above mentioned 10 arrested accused involved in various stages of conspiracy of placing explosive laden Mahindra Scorpio vehicle, its theft and commission of murder of Mansukh Hiran. Further investigation in the case continues," NIA said in a statement.

The charge sheet has been filed sections of IPC, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and section 16 (terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy), 20 (being a member of a terrorist gang or organisation) of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, also commonly known as UAPA.

Apart from the policemen, the other accused shown in the NIA charge sheet are Naresh Gor, Anand Jadhav, a former constable and convict in Lakhan Bhaiyya fake encounter case, Satish Mothkuri, alias Tanni, alias Vicky Baba, Vasantbhai Soni and Santosh Shelar, a close aide of Sharma.

Forensic experts examine the Scorpio that was found near Antilia home on February 25

The agency has also mentioned about the key suspect related to the purported terror organization JAISH-UL-HIND that first claimed to have placed the Scorpio but later backtracked. Sources said NIA's probe to unearth the JAISH-UL-HIND theory continues and they have found a crucial link to the key suspect, who is believed to be a police officer.

To give credibility to the Scorpio incident, Waze also falsely projected it to be the handiwork of a terror organisation. After the transfer of the case from Gamdevi police station to the Crime Intelligence Unit, he became the investigation officer, said a source.

20
No. of key witnesses for which NIA has sought protection

10
No. of accused named in the charge sheet