NIA: Sachin Waze drove vehicle seen escorting SUV outside Ambani home

The NIA probe in the case has identified Sachin Waze as the person seen on CCTV footage wearing a large kurta and covering his face, a few hours after the Scorpio SUV was parked outside the Ambani residence that day.

4 min readMumbaiUpdated: Mar 17, 2021 07:16 AM IST

Sachin Waze

It prima facie appears that Sachin Waze drove the white vehicle that escorted the SUV with explosives near the residence of Mukesh Ambani on February 25, according to the remand report of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that was submitted in court Sunday to obtain custody of the Assistant Police Inspector for 12 days in the bomb scare case.

The NIA probe in the case, meanwhile, has identified Waze as the person seen on CCTV footage wearing a large kurta and covering his face, a few hours after the Scorpio SUV was parked outside the Ambani residence that day, sources said.

NIA IG Anil Shukla said investigators have also found the fake number plate used for the Scorpio from a black Mercedes car used by Waze. The Mercedes was recovered Tuesday from a parking lot in South Mumbai with clothes, Rs 5 lakh in cash, a currency counting machine and kerosene inside, Shukla said.

The NIA probe has found that Waze met Thane-based auto decor shop owner Mansukh Hiran in South Mumbai on February 17, eight days before the SUV being used by Hiran was found outside Ambani’s home, a senior officer told The Indian Express.

Explained | How Mumbai Police reinstated Sachin Waze after 16 years despite a court order

Before his body was recovered from a creek on March 5, Hiran had told police that the Scorpio had been stolen on February 17. The NIA, however, suspects that Hiran may have allegedly handed over the keys of the Scorpio to Waze during this meeting near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus train station, a short distance from Mumbai’s police headquarters.

In its remand application filed before the special court, the NIA has said that Waze was involved in planting the SUV outside Ambani’s residence. The agency’s investigators are tracking CCTV footage to gather more evidence on the alleged meeting between Waze and Hiran.

On February 17, Hiran had filed a complaint at the Vikhroli police station claiming that the Scorpio was stolen after he had parked it on the roadside following a breakdown earlier that day. But the NIA, sources said, did not find any scratches near the car’s keyhole indicating it had not been broken into.

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According to the senior officer, the NIA suspects that the SUV’s key was later handed over by Waze to someone who drove it from Vikhroli to his housing society in Thane where it was parked for a few days before being driven to the Ambani residence.

On Tuesday, The Indian Express reported that Waze’s team at Mumbai Police’s Crime Intelligence Unit had taken all CCTV footage from the housing society on February 27, two days after the bomb scare incident.

In its remand report, the NIA has claimed a link between Hiran’s Vikhroli complaint, his death and the bomb scare case. While the first two cases are being investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, the NIA has taken over the third case.

In its remand plea, the NIA said the identities of Waze’s co-conspirators need to be established through sustained questioning. It also said that Waze is a police officer with “large amounts of wherewithal and influence at his disposition”, and his custody is required to ensure a free and fair probe.

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According to the NIA plea, Waze’s “past criminal antecedents” need to be brought on record, too, to track any possible links. Apart from the custodial death case of software engineer Khwaja Yunus, Waze was also booked in an extortion case in 2017.

In the bomb scare case, Waze has been booked under IPC sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances), 465 (forgery), 473 (counterfeiting seals, plate…), 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), and other sections of the Explosive Substances Act.

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

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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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