Cops to probe into cell data, check CCTV footage in Mandovi for Mansukh Hiran death case

Shiv Sena leader Dhananjay Gawde

Investigations into the death of Mansukh Hiran have revealed that the last location of one of his cellphones was near Mandovi in Virar, where former Shiv Sena corporator Dhananjay Gawde owns a farmhouse surrounded by a nearly eight-feet-high boundary wall. Police said they will be scanning more cellphone-related data and CCTV footage in the area, apart from questioning Gawde and Assistant Police Inspector (API) Sachin Vaze.

Dhananjay Gawde's farmhouse in Mandovi. Pics/Hanif Patel

On the other hand, responding to claims of him using the Scorpio found outside Antilia for three months, Vaze said, "Gaadi mere paas thi ya nahi thi, isme allegation kya hai? Maine padhe nahi hain allegations…" "Mai padh lunga aur uska response de dunga," Vaze said replying to Vimla Hiran's claims of him being responsible for her husband, Mansukh's death.

Gawde has several cases registered against him. In one of the cases, so-called encounter specialist API Vaze is a co-accused. Vaze has been accused by Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis of being involved in Hiran's death. On Tuesday, Fadnavis also mentioned the location of Hiran's phone in Mandovi in the Assembly.

"I have nothing to do with Vaze, I don't know why Devendra Fadnavis is talking like this. Fadnavis says the last Hiran's mobile's last location was near Mandovi, but my farmhouse is 12 km away from Mandovi. Am I responsible for anything that happens in Mandovi? Fadnavis has not even established my links with Hiran, how can he make such a serious allegation?" Gawde told mid-day.

"Vaze and I were made co-accused in an extortion case at Manikpur police station in 2017. The investigating officer submitted in court that I have nothing to do with it. A co-accused does not have to be my friend. I don't know Vaze," Gawde said.

"Fadnavis' comments in the assembly are just a conspiracy to protect the builder lobby in Vasai-Virar," he said. In the extortion case from 2017 where he is co-accused, Vaze had sought bail anticipating arrest. The investigating officer had then told court that Vaze helped main culprit, Dr. Anilkumar Yadav, abscond.

"Vaze and Gawde are under the scanner after their names popped up in Hiran's murder case. CCTV camera footage in the vicinity of the last mobile location is being checked. We are also retrieving the dump cell tower data to understand who all were present at the location," said a senior ATS officer. "We will also quiz Vaze and Gawde," the officer added.