Ambani bomb scare case: Vaze team’s vehicle trailed bomb scare SUV

According to an NIA official, the white vehicle was found parked inside Mumbai Police's headquarters. Police sources confirmed that the vehicle was being used by the CIU.

Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze being taken to the NIA court in Mumbai on Monday. (Express photo: Ganesh Shirsekar)

A WHITE vehicle seen trailing the SUV that was found outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence with gelatin sticks and a threat note on February 25 was allegedly being used by Mumbai Police’s Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) led at the time by Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze, sources in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) told The Indian Express.

The NIA took custody of the white Innova vehicle from the Motor Transport department of Mumbai Police in Nagpada late Saturday night, around the time the agency arrested Vaze in connection with the bomb scare case, the sources said. On Sunday, a special NIA court remanded Vaze in the agency’s custody for 12 days.

Explained | Who is Sachin Vaze, the Mumbai Police ‘encounter specialist’ arrested by NIA in the Ambani residence bomb scare case?

According to an NIA official, the white vehicle was found parked inside Mumbai Police’s headquarters. Police sources confirmed that the vehicle was being used by the CIU. A senior IPS officer told The Indian Express: “The vehicle was used by the CIU and parked in the Mumbai Police headquarters. After the NIA asked for the vehicle, it was handed over to them.”

Earlier, the CIU, which was investigating the case before the NIA took over, was said to have been on the lookout for the white vehicle. Asked how the police could not find the vehicle when it was parked in their headquarters, the IPS officer said he was “not aware about it”.

Read | Mumbai cop Sachin Vaze sent to NIA custody till March 25

On the day of the bomb scare, the vehicle was parked for some time behind the SUV before it was driven away by an unidentified person.

The Innova outside the NIA office Sunday. (Express photo by Mohamed Thaver)

Earlier in the day, the NIA, in their plea before the court seeking Vaze’s custody, said they were investigating the conspiracy involved in the case and wanted to investigate him in this connection.

The NIA stated in court that they had received inputs about Vaze’s involvement in placing the gelatin sticks in the SUV, and claimed that he had confessed. Vaze’s lawyers argued that he was picked up solely on the basis of suspicion and that there was no prima facie case established. They contended that the arrest was illegal and that Vaze was not informed of the grounds of arrest.

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Vaze’s lawyers, including Sudeep Pasbola and Sajal Yadav, submitted that they should be allowed access to the remand report to know the grounds under which NIA took Vaze’s custody — the court will hear their plea Monday.

The NIA, through special public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves, submitted that the probe is still at an initial stage. It told the court that since Vaze’s unit had investigated the case initially and knew the details, not being given his custody would hamper the probe. The NIA told the court that the alleged conspiracy could not have been planned and executed by one person and that they needed to find out who else was involved and the motive.

Meanwhile, Vaze’s younger brother Sudharma told The Indian Express: “We are very worried about him and completely support him. He never discussed his professional life with us so I am not aware who is targeting him and why. But we believe he is being falsely implicated. He did not mention anything about his personal life but he has expressed that he was feeling suicidal in his WhatsApp post.”

The NIA has also summoned two others from CIU, including another API and a constable, for questioning. While the agency is currently investigating the scare case, Maharashtra’s Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) is investigating the death of Mansukh Hiren, who had been using the SUV earlier and whose body was reccovered from a creek on March 5.

Mohamed Thaver

Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems. Experience & Authority Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field. Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus. Key Beats: Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch. Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force. Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict. Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations. Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed. Credentials & Trustworthiness Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order. He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More

Sadaf Modak

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

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