Ambani security scare case: NIA probing 'fake encounter' angle
What's the story
Investigators suspect that suspended cop Sachin Waze had planned a "fake encounter" of two persons to project their link with the explosives-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence, sources said on Wednesday.
"This way, Waze, an encounter specialist, apparently wanted to claim to have solved the case, but it did not work out," they said.
Investigation
NIA recovered the passport of one of the men
During a search of Waze's house in neighboring Thane, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is conducting a probe into the case, had recovered the passport of a man, whose identity has not been revealed.
"The investigators suspect Waze had planned to kill the passport holder and one more person in a fake encounter," the sources said.
Case
'Waze had planned to claim to have solved the case'
"The fake encounter was initially planned in the Maruti Eeco vehicle, which was stolen from Maharashtra's Aurangabad city in November last year," they said.
"The probe agency suspects that by eliminating two persons, Waze had planned to claim to have solved the case of the explosives-laden SUV and earn praise, but the plan did not work out," the sources said.
Information
Agency is now working on the 'fake encounter' theory
The NIA had earlier claimed that Waze was planning to do "something big." Accordingly, the agency is working on the "fake encounter" theory, the sources said. To recall, the explosives-laden SUV was found parked outside the south Mumbai residence of Ambani on February 25.
Arrest
Waze was arrested by the NIA on March 13
Businessman Mansukh Hiren, who was in possession of the SUV, was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5.
Waze - who was previously probing the case - was arrested on March 13.
NIA had also revealed that Waze was operating his extortion racket from a Mumbai five-star hotel room booked by a businessman for 100 days for Rs. 12 lakh.