SUV bomb scare case: NIA probe raises new questions

Waze arrives at the police commissioner’s office at Crawford Market on March 10. File pic

As investigation into the Ambani bomb scare case continues, the NIA suspects that the explosives-laden Scorpio which had been planted outside Antilia was never stolen, even though a theft case had been registered by Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran on February 18 after the car went missing. The National Investigating Agency (NIA) suspects that the car might have been in API Sachin Waze's custody, parked at his residential complex.

NIA suspects that the Scorpio was parked inside Sachin Waze's residential complex

What leads to this suspicion is the fact that Waze had taken the digital video recorder (DVR) of his complex in connection with the case on March 2. The Maharashtra ATS as well as the NIA are also investigating whether the theft case was registered at Vikhroli police station under someone's influence. A senior officer of the city police also confirmed that Waze had taken the DVR of his society.

Further investigation by the Maharashtra ATS and the NIA has also revealed that Waze had given an official letter to the society in Saket Nagar, Thane, seeking the DVR. "The official letter given to the society by CIU headed by Waze seeking the DVR has CIU officers signature and it was sought by him for the purpose of investigation. Initially we failed to understand why he took the DVR of his own residential complex in the Antilia threat case but now we suspect that the Scorpio might have been parked inside the society where he (Waze) resides. We are yet to analyse the DVR and also check whether it has been tempered with," an officer said.

However, the agencies are yet to confirm whether the car was driven to Antilia from his housing society or from some other location on February 25. Sources have confirmed that the NIA has seized the letter which Waze gave to his society and also the DVR.

Waze had taken the DVR of his society for some official use

This reporter also visited Waze's residence in Thane to speak to the society officials but he was stopped at the gate. However, the watchman confirmed that some police officers had visited the society about two weeks back and taken the DVR.

How Scorpio owner was identified
The Mumbai Crime Branch and Maharashtra ATS, which initially investigated the Ambani bomb threat case, had found that the culprit had damaged the chasis, engine and body numbers of the Scorpio to evade the police and delay the probe. While checking the car, a senior Crime Branch officer noticed a unique number on the bonnet. "We then reached out to Mahindra and asked them if they could give details of the vehicle using the number," a Crime Branch officer said.

Even the ATS had noticed the same thing and reached out to Mahindra. "Based on that unique number, Mahindra helped us get details of the vehicle. We eventually got to know that the vehicle was stolen from Vikhroli and Mansukh Hiran had registered an FIR in the matter," said an ATS officer.

The vehicle was registered on the name of Dr Sam Peter Newton but the car was in Hiran's custody. The ATS team was the first to reach Hiran's residence and take him for questioning.