JOIN USMansukh Hiren death: ATS to probe murder angle
In a significant development, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) will probe a possible murder angle in the death of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiren, whose explosives-laden Scorpio SUV was planted near the residence of India’s top businessman Mukesh Ambani.
After fast-pacing the investigations on Sunday, the ATS team visited the Vikas Palms Complex at Dr Ambedkar Road in Thane and spoke to the family members including Vimla Hiren, Hiren's wife.
The team also visited the Reti Bunder area in Mumbra-Kalwa where Hiren's body was found last Friday.
The ATS has registered on Vimla’s complaint under section 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 34 (common intention) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The FIR was registered against unknown person/s.
Mansukh Hiren (48) owned a car accessories business, Classic Car Decor, near Vandana Talkies in Thane.
His family and friends have rejected the theory that he could have died by suicide or drowned, claiming that he was a good swimmer.
On Saturday evening, after state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh held a meeting with Director General of Police Hemant Nagrale, the government wrote to Additional Director General of Police Jai Jeet Singh, who heads the ATS to take over the investigation.
SUV sent for detailed examination
On Sunday, Mumbai Police sent the SUV and 20 gelatin sticks found in it to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina for detailed examination.
In the letter addressed to Singh, Home department’s Deputy Secretary Ramesh Manale has mentioned both the cases — the recovery of the car and gelatine sticks outside Ambani's home Antilla, and the death of Mansukh Hiren, the prime witness in the case, who was in possession of the car.
“The probe must start immediately and the report must be submitted to the government at the earliest,” the letter states.
The FSL, with the help of experts, will also try to find out if the chassis number of the car was changed. This will help them identify the real owner of the vehicle and in whose name it was registered.
It may be recalled, Deshmukh, in his statement to the Maharashtra Legislature last week, had claimed that the car belonged to one Sam Peter Newton, who had given the car to Mansukh Hiren’s automobile spare-parts company for interior refurbishment. However, this was contested by Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, who had said that Mansukh Hiren in his statement to the police had said that he had purchased the car from Newton.
Hiren's letter to the Maharashtra government
What is more surprising is that days before he died, Mansukh Hiren had written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deshmukh and the Mumbai and Thane police chiefs, saying that he was being harassed. “I have already given my explanation and statements about how the vehicle was stolen, and I am being victimised and suffering harassment by police and news reporters," Hiren said in the letter.
Hiren pointed out that he had been questioned by the Vikhroli and Ghatkopar police stations, Crime Intelligence Unit and Nagpada unit of ATS and also NIA.
"The interrogation by various agencies disturbed my peace of mind. Inspite of being a victim, I am treated as an accused. I have also been receiving calls from media houses who have been harassing me and my family," he said. This letter is also under investigation. Authorities are also working on tracing the original owner of the car.