The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a charge sheet before a special NIA court against 10 accused, including former police officers Sachin Vaze and Pradeep Sharma, and Naresh Gor, Vinayak Shinde, Riyazuddin Kazi, Sunil Mane, Santosh Shelar, Anand Jadhav, Satish Mothkuri, Manish Soni in the case of recovery of explosives near Antilia, residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family here.
An FIR was registered on February 25, 2021, at the Gamdevi Police Station, Mumbai, on the placing of an explosives-laden vehicle on Carmichael Road during the intervening night of February 24 and 25 along with 20 gelatine sticks. The car also had a threat note addressed to Mr. Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited.
Subsequently, an FIR was registered at the Vikhroli police station for theft of the vehicle and an accidental death report was registered at the Mumbra Police Station pertaining to the recovery of the body of Mansukh Hiran on March 5 from Mumbra Creek.
The NIA, in a press release, stated, “During investigation, incriminating evidences came to the fore against the above mentioned 10 arrested accused involved in various stages of conspiracy of placing explosives-laden Mahindra Scorpio vehicle, its theft and commission of murder of Hiran.”
The accused are charged under sections 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 302 (punishment for murder), 364 (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder), 384 (punishment for extortion), 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 419 (punishment for cheating by personation), 465 (punishment for forgery), 473 (making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable otherwise) of the Indian Penal Code; relevant sections of Arms Act, of the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.