Antilia bomb scare: Nita Ambani cancelled trip to Gujarat after explosives-laden SUV found, NIA told

Antilia bomb scare: Nita Ambani cancelled trip to Gujarat after explosives-laden SUV found, NIA told

PTIUpdated: Wednesday, September 08, 2021, 11:44 AM IST
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Nita Ambani | Video Screengrab

Mumbai: Industrialist Mukesh Ambani's wife, Nita Ambani, cancelled a scheduled visit to Gujarat after the recovery of an explosives-laden SUV outside their house 'Antilia' in February this year, the security head of the residence has said in his statement to the NIA.

The statement is part of a chargesheet filed last week by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) before a special court here against dismissed police officer Sachin Vaze and nine others in connection with the recovery of the vehicle with gelatin sticks near Ambani's residence on February 25 and the subsequent murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran.

The residence's security head said that after the vehicle with explosives and a threat letter were found, he immediately brought it to the notice of Mukesh Ambani.

He also told the NIA that Nita Ambani's scheduled visit to Jamnagar was rescheduled and then cancelled as per advice given by him and the zonal DCP.

The security head further stated they had been receiving threats from various quarters, but all were related to farmers' protest that began in October 2020.

The Ambani family does not suspect any particular person for the threat letter and gelatin sticks found on February 25, he said in the statement.

Former police officer Vaze is the prime accused in the case. As per probe agency, he also played a "pivotal role" in the murder of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran.

Hiran, who had claimed that the SUV had been stolen from his possession, was found dead in a creek in neighbouring Thane district on March 5.

Besides Vaze and fomer police officer Pradeep Sharma, the others accused in the case are Vinayak Shinde, Naresh Gor Riyazuddin Kazi, Sunil Mane, Anand Jadhav, Satish Mothkuri, Manish Soni and Santosh Shelar. Shinde, Kazi and Mane are former police officers.

The accused have been charged under various IPC sections, including for murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance, as well as relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Arms Act.

The NIA in its charge sheet said Waze placed the SUV with explosives near Ambani's house here to regain his reputation as a "super cop".

Businessman Mansukh Hiran was subsequently killed as Waze thought him to be the "weak link" in the conspiracy, the NIA said, alleging that Pradeep Sharma was roped in to execute the murder.

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