Big people tried to pressure me

Says the prime witness in the Ambani chopper sabotage case in his suicide note; cops suspect aviation expert behind sabotage

Big people tried to pressure me

Says the prime witness in the Ambani chopper sabotage case in his suicide note; cops suspect aviation expert behind sabotageu00a0u00a0

The plot of the Anil Ambani chopper sabotage case got murkier after Bharat Borge, a prime witness in the case, was found dead under mysterious circumstances yesterday. Crime branch officials suspect an aviation expert could be behind the attempt to sabotage Anil Ambani's airline and say that he could also be involved in Borge's death.

Air technician Borge, who discovered the plot to sabotage the chopper, was found dead on the railway tracks near Vile Parle last afternoon. A suicide note addressed to the investigating officer Sanjeev Bhole, (see box) was recovered from Borge, who was employed with Air Works India Engineering Pvt Limited, the company that looked into the maintenance of Anil Ambani's aircraft.u00a0u00a0

However, investigators suspect foul play. "Though a suicide note was recovered from Borge, we are not ruling out the possibility of murder since he was a key witness in the case," said a police official, requesting anonymity.

According to the suicide note, a group of people visited Borge's residence in Virar on Sunday night and tried to pressurise him to stop cooperating with the police.

The Mumbai police are also studying a telephonic interception from June 2005, which indicated that Anil Ambani's life was under threat.

The cops suspect that the earlier threat, following which the industrialist's security was stepped up, could be linked to the sabotage attempt.

Rakesh Maria, joint commissioner of police (crime) said, "Borge was a key witness in the case. We are investigating the case by exploring various angles." He did not divulge further details stating that this could hamper the investigations.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Borge discovered pebbles in the Bell 412 helicopter and lodged the first formal complaint with the Santacruz Airport police station on April 23. The police have so far questioned six employees including two senior managers of Air Works and are probing the possibility of infighting within the company.

Borge's suicide note
Dear Bhole Sahib,
I didn't do anything. My parents did not teach me to do anything like this.
I was pressured and they are very big people. I did not tell you that when I met you yesterday (Monday). They came to my residence and took my mobile number.
I suspect they are planning to project me as the culprit. I am afraid for my life.
Your investigations are progressing in the right direction. I am sure you will book the culprits and give justice.
Jai Hind.