Antilia bomb scare case: NIA arrests two people, sent to custody till June 21

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two people in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case. The arrested men have been identified as Santosh Shelar and Anand arrested. Both of them were produced before the court today and sent to NIA custody till June 21.

So far, their role in the case is not made clear by the NIA however the investigative agency sources have stated that the two are not connected to the Mumbai Police.

A special court in Mumbai had last week gave 60 days extension to the NIA to file its charge sheet in the case of an explosives-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house and the subsequent murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran. The deadline for filing the charge sheet was to end on June 10.

Under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the probe agency can seek time up to total 180 days since the day of the arrest of the accused, to submit the charge sheet. The NIA had earlier moved the special court seeking an extension of 90 days to file the charge sheet. The agency had said that an extension was required to complete the probe against all the accused.

Former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Vaze, who was an encounter specialist, is presently in the custody of NIA for his alleged involvement in the Antilia bomb scare.

On February 25, an SUV with 20 explosive gelatin sticks and threat letter were found outside business tycoon Mukesh Ambani's house. A few days later, Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiren was found dead in Thane creek. Later, NIA took over the case and has arrested several police officials API Riyaz Qazi, Suni Mane among some others for their alleged connection in the cases.

Following NIA's investigation, Vaze has been named as the prime accused in the Antilia case and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiren. This series of developments have caused the downfall of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and former Mumbai CP Param Bir Singh who are both now being investigated in related cases pertaining to 'extortion.'

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
 

• Ambani
• Antilia bomb case
• Mumbai
• NIA
• custody
• Mumbai Police