SUV bomb threat case: Mumbai police officer Riyazuddin Qazi suspended a day after arrest

API Riyazuddin Qazi (in maroon) leaving court on Sunday

Assistant Police Inspector (API) Riyazuddin Qazi, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday in connection with the Ambani bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder cases, has been suspended by the Mumbai Police.

The suspension order was issued by DCP (Local Arms) on Monday.

Qazi was closely associated with the prime accused, suspended API Sachin Waze, and was allegedly a part of all important investigations carried out by him, including the TRP scam.

According to the NIA, Qazi was questioned multiple times, including a confrontation with Waze, who is in judicial custody. Initially, the agency thought of making him a witness but further probe revealed that he was well aware and even part of the conspiracy. "He was not only part of the entire conspiracy but there is strong evidence to suggest how he destroyed evidence on Waze's instructions," an NIA officer said.

According to the NIA, Qazi allegedly took the Digital Video Recorders (DVR) from important locations where the making of the fake number plates and the Scorpio were captured.

According to sources, the Maharashtra ATS, during its probe, had found a crucial link and given the same to NIA when the case was transferred. Sources in both agencies confirmed that on March 6, Waze and Qazi were seen meeting a person in an Audi car in Nagpada. "The person was known to Waze. The duo took petrol in a bottle and a hammer from the person. The hammer was later used to destroy evidence. The evidence, including a laptop, DVR, CPU and hard disk, was recovered from Mithi river and was completely damaged. We believe that the hammer was used to damage the evidence and thrown into the river," an NIA officer said.

NIA has recorded the statement of the person from Nagpada. This statement led to Qazi's arrest.