Ambani Bomb Scare: Post NIA Arrest, Mumbai Police Suspends Kazi

An NIA special holiday special court on Sunday, 11 April, sent Kazi to NIA custody till 16 April.

The bomb disposal squad of the Mumbai Police found an abandoned Scorpio that triggered a bomb scare near Mukesh Ambani’s residence Antilia. 

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

Mumbai Assistant Police Inspector Riyaz Kazi was suspended from service on Monday, 12 April, after his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday, for allegedly helping Mumbai top cop Sachin Vaze in connection with the explosive-laden SUV found outside Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani's residence.

An NIA special holiday special court on Sunday sent Kazi to NIA custody till 16 April, reported ANI. He was reportedly arrested on Saturday night, an NIA official told IANS.

As per Mumbai Mirror, Virendra Mishra, Additional Commissioner of Police (Arms Unit), has issued the suspension order for Kazi which states that he will not be allowed to do any private work.

“Strict action will be taken against him if the order is violated,” the order reportedly stated.

He has also been ordered to appear before the Local Arms Unit every Friday.

The official said that he was arrested after his role was identified by the anti-terror probe agency.

Former Mumbai top cop Sachin Vaze was arrested by the NIA on 13 March in a connection with case related to the recovery of explosives from the vehicle outside Ambani's house.

The agency has recorded the statement of Kazi along with several others such as former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh in connection with the case.

Deshmukh’s PAs Questioned

Meanwhile, as the CBI is conducting a preliminary investigation into the allegations of corruption levelled against Home Minister Anil Deshmukh by former chief Param Bir Singh, two of Deshmukh' personal assistants, Sanjeev Palande and S Kundan, were called in for questionin at the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) guest house in Mumbai where they were question for 8 hours.

The CBI has also reportedly questioned Vaze’s driver in the matter.

Mansukh Hiren Death Case

The NIA has also taken over the probe into the death of Mumbai-based businessman Mansukh Hiren, who was found dead in the Thane Creek wetlands on 5 March.

The NIA has till date seized around six high-end cars/SUVs, including two Mercedes, a Scorpio, an Innova and a Toyota LandCruiser Prado.

While some of these vehicles were used by Vaze, some were also driven by Hiren.

(With inputs from Mumbai Mirror)