NIA files charge sheet against Sachin Vaze, others in Antilia bomb scare-Mansukh Hiren murder case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a charge sheet in the sensational twin cases of planting of a gelatin sticks-laden Mahindra Scorpio near Antilia, the residence of Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman Mukesh Ambani and the murder of the SUV owner Mansukh Hiren.

A total of 10 accused have been chargesheeted including dismissed assistant police inspector Sachin Vaze and his mentor and former encounter-specialist Pradeep Sharma, a former senior inspector of police. The other accused are Naresh Ramniklal Gor, a bookie, dismissed cop Vinayak Balasaheb Shinde alias Vinu, now dismissed assistant police inspector Riyazuddin Hisamuddin Kazi, inspector Sunil Dharma Mane, Santosh Atmaram Shelar, Anand Pandurang Jadhav, Satish Tirupati Mothkuri alias Tanni alias Vicky Baba, Manish Vasantbhai Soni.

“During investigation, incriminating evidences came to 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 Hiren,” the NIA stated.

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The charge sheet combines three FIRs in the case, which were taken over from the police department of Mumbai and Thane.

The FIR no. 35/2021, dated February 25 registered at Gamdevi police station, Mumbai, looks at the planting of 20-odd gelatin sticks in a Mahindra Scorpio on Carmichael Road in Mumbai during the intervening night of February 24-25 along a threatening letter to the Ambanis. The FIR No. 47/2021 registered at Vikhroli police station subsequently relates to theft of Mahindra Scorpio vehicle. The third FIR deals with the Accidental Death Report ADR No. 39/2021 registered at Mumbra police station in Thane pertains to recovery of dead body of Mansukh Hiren retrieved on 5 March from Mumbra Creek.

The ten accused were chargesheeted under sections 120B, 201, 286, 302, 364, 384, 386, 403, 419, 465, 471, 473 & 506 of Indian Penal Code; sections 3 & 25 of Arms Act, section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act and sections 16, 18 & 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against the 10 arrested persons including Vaze, and Sharma.