Dismissed police officer Sachin Vaze on Tuesday told an inquiry commission that the time he spent in the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) custody following arrest in the Antilia bomb scare case was the “most traumatic time” of his life and claimed he had signed various documents “under duress”.
An explosives-laden SUV was found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence ‘Antilia’ in south Mumbai in Februrary this year. Later, businessman Mansukh Hiran, who was in possession of the SUV, was found dead in a creek at Mumbra in neighbouring Thane district.
In March, Vaze, who was then serving as the assistant police inspector, was arrested by the NIA for his alleged role in the case and was later dismissed from service.
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He is currently being crossed-examined by the Justice K. U. Chandiwal Commission, which is probing corruption allegations levelled against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh by ex-Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.
Responding to a question by Anil Deshmukh’s lawyer Anita Castellino on whether there was any kind of pressure or uncomfortable situation when he was in the NIA’s custody, Vaze said, “Yes, of course”. “It was most traumatic time in my life” he said.
To another query, Vaze said in those 28 days (time spent in the Central agency’s custody), only the NIA was causing “harrasment and humiliation” to him.
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“I say the trauma is still there,” he added.
Vaze also claimed that he had signed various documents “under duress of the NIA authorities”.
He further said his request for furnishing him a copy of documents and the panchnama was denied by the NIA court. Vaze’s cross-examination will continue on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh appeared before the Commission.
The single-member commission of Justice Chandiwal (retired) was formed by the Maharashtra government in March this year to probe the allegations levelled against Mr. Deshmukh by Param Bir Singh.
Param Bir Singh, who was transferred from the post of Mumbai police commissioner in March in the aftermath of the Antilia bomb scare episode, had alleged that Mr. Deshmukh asked police officers to collect ₹100 crore a month from bars and restaurants in the city.
The Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate are also probing the allegations made against Mr. Deshmukh by the senior IPS officer.