NIA sources say API Sachin Waze is refusing to reveal any names besides his own as mastermind of the Ambani threat conspiracy, car dealer’s death
API Sachin Waze leaves after appearing in court. File pic
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is having a tough time investigating the Ambani bomb scare case as Assistant Police Inspector (API) Sachin Waze, who had allegedly planted the explosives-laden Scorpio outside Antilia on February 25, is taking all the blame on himself and not revealing any other names.
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The agency has been questioning him since the last five days after they secured his 11-day custody from the special NIA court. Sources said that so far he has only admitted to his involvement in the matter after multiple circumstantial evidence was shown to him. The agencies have also questioned him about taking the digital video recorder of his own society in the same matter, but he did not have any answers to that. “He is taking all the blame on himself without revealing any other names. We need to find out whether someone else masterminded the entire conspiracy,” said an officer.
Sources said that Waze was not revealing much about the entire conspiracy and the agency was yet to find out the motive behind it. Two API rank officers of the CIU, who are under the scanner, have been asked to turn approver in the case and give their statements under section 164 of CrPC. However, the agencies are not relying on his version completely and corroborating his statement with the evidences and the statements of witnesses that they have collected.
NIA officers investigate Waze’s Mercedes car at Pedder road. File pic
On Thursday, the NIA also seized two high-end luxury cars — a Mercedes Benz and Land Cruiser Prado. Earlier, the agency had recovered a black Mercedes and found '5.70 lakh cash in it, some clothes and two note counting machines. Sources in the NIA said that when asked about the machines, Waze said that they were for his personal use. The Land Cruiser was also seen inside the commissioner’s office when he was heading the CIU of Mumbai Crime Branch.
In fact, Waze had taken Mansukh Hiran to the CP office in the same car on February 26 for questioning and recording his statement.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra ATS recorded the statement of Hiran’s brother Vinod Hiran after some new facts came to light during the probe. Officials of the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratory, Kalina (DFSL) also visited the NIA office as help had been sought to collect forensic evidence from the vehicles that have been seized.
The NIA also plans to recreate the February 25 sequence when the Scorpio was found near Antilia. A senior ATS officer told mid-day that they will seek Waze’s custody in the murder case of Mansukh Hiran. The Thane sessions court will hear the anticipatory bail application of Waze. “As he has already been arrested by the NIA, we will produce a production warrant before the court to seek his custody in the murder case,” the officer added. The ATS is questioning a PI-level officer of the Mumbai Crime Branch in connection with the Mansukh Hiran death case.
Feb 26
Day Mansukh Hiran was questioned at the CP’s office
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