Ambani bomb scare case: Suspects had returned to check on explosives-laden car

One of the suspects was seen walking on the road wearing a PPE kit. Pic/Mumbai police sources

The Mumbai Crime Branch, which was initially investigating the case related to the abandoned explosives-laden car near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house in Mumbai, found out that the suspects, who parked the Scorpio car near Antilia, had returned to the area and were there till 5:45 am on February 25.

Initially, the Crime Branch had found out that after parking the car near Antilia at around 2:18 am, the suspects were seen leaving for Thane in a white Innova.

During further investigation, the Crime Branch learnt that the same suspects returned to the area after changing the number of the Innova car and were there till 5:45 am. One of the suspects was seen walking on the road wearing a PPE kit.

On Monday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) started an investigation into the case. The agency took over the probe following orders received from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The case was registered at Gamdevi police station in Mumbai on February 25 after a Mahindra Scorpio was found parked on Carmichael Road near 'Antilia', Ambani's residence. A Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) team reached the spot immediately.

The Scorpio with gelatin, an explosive material, was found parked near Ambani's house in South Mumbai on February 25 evening. A letter was also found inside the vehicle. The vehicle was seized by police then. The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police was conducting the probe.

As per reports, the Mumbai Police team had recovered 21 gelatin sticks, each weighing about 125 grams, from the abandoned vehicle. The police then said that the total weight of the explosive was 2.60 kg, which is enough to explode the entire car if gelatin sticks are attached to other explosive components.

The vehicle had a fake number plate. The registration number on the vehicle's number plate was the same as that of an SUV in Ambani's security detail.