The National Investigation Agency has seized a black Mercedes-Benz car that allegedly seemed to be driven by accused police officer Sachin Waze and is investigating the recovery of an explosives-laden Scorpio SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence in Mumbai previous month. From the vehicle, the anti-terror agency recovered 5 lakh in cash, a note-counting machine, some clothing, and the SUV’s license plate.
“NIA today seized a black Mercedes-Benz car. We have recovered the number plate that was on the Scorpio, over ₹ 5 Lakh in cash, a note-counting machine, and some clothes…Sachin Waze used to drive this car… the ownership of the car is under investigation,” senior NIA officer Anil Shukla told media.
Officials said they also found a check shirt and a plastic bottle with kerosene. Sources had earlier said surveillance footage showed a PPE-clad man, which could be Mr. Vaze. The man – caught on CCTV – was also wearing a checkered shirt. Investigators now believe kerosene in the bottle was used to burn the PPE kit.
The Scorpio SUV containing explosives was discovered abandoned near Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia residential building on February 25. There was also a threat note addressed to him and his wife, Nita Ambani. The car was traced to Mansukh Hiran, a Thane-based auto parts dealer who had reported it stolen to the police on February 17.
More About The things Concluded From The Car:
On March 5, Mr. Hiran was discovered dead in a creek near Mumbai. Sachin Waze, the first investigating officer in the bomb threat case, reportedly used the car for four months before returning it on February 5th, according to his ex. She also said that the officer was involved in her husband’s death.
The NIA last week arrested Sachin Waze for his alleged role in positioning the SUV near Mr. Ambani’s home, just days after taking over the case from the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad. On Sunday, he was interrogated by the department for several hours.
Mr. Waze reportedly confiscated and deleted CCTV video from his own apartment building, according to the NIA. It raided his office, seizing his computer tablet, laptop, and several cell phones.
The ruling Shiv Sena had chastised the government for turning the case over to the NIA. The Mumbai police and the ATS were able to handle the case and the things that came from the car, according to the report, and the center’s behavior had demoralized local law enforcement.
“Sachin Waze is not Osama Bin Laden. It is not right to target a person and hang him and then investigate,” Uddhav Thackeray had said last week.
