MUMBAI: As the Maharashtra government on Monday suspended arrested police officer Sachin Waze—his second suspension after the first one in March 2004 in connection with the custodial death of bomb blast accused Khwaja Yunus—sources told TOI the NIA has found that the explosives-laden Scorpio found parked near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence on February 25 was not stolen, as alleged by Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran, but was parked at Waze’s housing society in Thane.
Waze has reportedly admitted to his role but not disclosed the motive, sources close to the investigation said.
Hiran, who had the vehicle in his possession, had told the media that the SUV was stolen on February 17 from Mulund-Airoli Road where he had parked after it developed a technical snag. The NIA probe has shown that “someone” opened the car with its key, drove it and parked it in assistant police inspector Waze’s housing society Saket in Thane. Later, the vehicle was later found near Ambani’s residence.
Sources said Waze had collected the digital video recorder containing CCTV images from his housing society, which the NIA claims has been damaged. Sources said it has also emerged that Waze visited a shop that makes number plates and took away all digital evidence containing details of visitors and the register containing orders received.

It is alleged that the number plate of the Scorpio belonged to a scooter. The shop is located opposite Hiran’s car accessories shop.
Hiran on February 18 lodged an FIR with the Vikhroli police alleging that while he was heading to Opera House, there was a snag in the Scorpio, so he parked the vehicle on the Eastern Express Highway and took an Ola cab to Crawford Market. The Ola driver gave a statement to the state Anti-Terrorism Squad, which is probing Hiran’s murder, that Hiran later changed his destination and went to meet someone whom he was referring to as “Sir” near CST.
Investigators suspect that on Waze’s behalf, Hiran then allegedly handed over the Scorpio’s key to this “Sir”, who in turn took the car and parked it in Waze’s housing society. The Scorpio was lying in Waze’s housing society for nearly a week before it was found abandoned, laden with gelatin sticks, outside Antilia at Carmichael Road on February 25. There was also a threatening letter addressed to the Ambanis. “Hiran was under pressure from Waze to lodge a false complaint with the Vikhroli police,” sources said.
To ensure that the crucial evidence does not reach other investigating agencies conducting a parallel probe into the bomb scare, Waze gave a letter to his society on March 2 and took away the DVR in the name of investigation. Waze was part of the crime intelligence unit (CIU) that initially probed the case. A resident of the society confirmed that Waze had taken the DVR but declined to elaborate.
The NIA, which has taken over the DVR, said it has been damaged. “If we get the footage it will be of great help to establish the fact that Waze orchestrated the terror scare outside Ambani’s house. We are trying to retrieve data from the DVR,” said an official. Waze has reportedly admitted to his role but not disclosed the motive, sources said.
The NIA in its remand application stated that Waze was part of a big conspiracy involving many others. Police on Tuesday questioned API Riyazuddin Kazi and S Howald for the second day. They were questioned about the fake number plates found inside the Scorpio and Innova, being used by the CIU. The Innova was tailing the Scorpio. The occupant of the Scorpio got down and left in the Innova.