Vaze is an Assistant Police Inspector of the Mumbai Police. He was one of the original group of Mumbai’s so-called “encounter specialists” alongside Pradeep Sharma and Daya Naik. He returned to the force in 2020 after a 16-year hiatus, for part of which he was under suspension, after which he quit the force.
Vaze was arrested by the central agency after questioning him for nearly 12 hours. He was the lead investigator in the explosives case before it was transferred to the Mumbai Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and later to the NIA.
The details are as yet not known. NIA has charged him with sections relating to conspiracy, criminal intimidation, negligent conduct in dealing with explosives, forgery, and possession of counterfeit seal.
A Scorpio car laden with gelatin sticks and a threat letter was found outside the Mumbai residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani on February 25. API Sachin Vaze was the first investigating officer in the Ambani bomb scare case and was later removed. The probe in the case was later taken over by the NIA.
According to NIA spokespersons, Sachin Vaze has been arrested for his “role and involvement in placing an explosives-laden vehicle near Carmichael Road on February 25”.
He was arrested under Sections 286 (Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 465 (Punishment for forgery), 473 (Making or possessing counterfeit seal), 506(2) (criminal intimidation), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code and 4(a)(b)(I)(attempt to cause an explosion) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.
Sachin Vaze is also being investigated for his alleged role in the death of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran, who was the owner of the Scorpio found near the Ambani residence.
