Why Controversial Cop Sachin Vaze Was Removed From Mumbai's Crime Intelligence Unit
"Police officer Sachin Vaze will be removed from his current posting in the crime branch till the investigation is not completed. I am taking this decision in view of the rising demand from the opposition," the minister was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Mukesh Ambani Bomb Scare: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh today announced the removal of controversial Mumbai police officer Sachin Vaze from the Crime Intelligence Unit till the inquiry into the mysterious death of automobile parts dealer Mansukh Hiran is not completed. Deshmukh made the statement in the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
"Police officer Sachin Vaze will be removed from his current posting in the crime branch till the investigation is not completed. I am taking this decision in view of the rising demand from the opposition," the minister was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Deshmukh said the Maharashtra government will conduct an impartial probe into the death of Hiran.
Mansukh Hiran was in possession of the SUV which was found with explosives outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house in south Mumbai on February 25.
Police said the vehicle was stolen from Hiran's possession on February 18. The mystery deepened after Hiran's body was found in a creek last Friday in neighbouring Thane.
Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday demanded action against API Sachin Vaze in connection with the death of Hiran.
"Sachin Vaze is being defended as he was member of a political party. If you don't do anything about him, you're giving him a chance to destroy evidence. He should be suspended immediately. If you defend him, doubt may be raised against you too,"Fadnavis said.
However, Leader of Opposition in the Council Pravin Darekar and other opposition members expressed their dissatisfaction over the government's decision.
"Vaze is in some way involved in the death of Mansukh Hiran. He should face legal action and should be suspended at once," Darekar said.
Who is Sachin Waze?
- Sachin Vaze joined the Maharashtra Police Service as a sub-inspector in 1990. He has encountered 63 criminals so far.
- He had recently arrested Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami from his house. The team formed for Goswami's arrest was led by Sachin Vaze.
- Sachin Vaze has returned to the police force on June 6, 2020, after nearly 13 years. He resigned from the Mumbai Police in 2007.
- Vaze has encountered several goons of Chhota Rajan and Dawood Ibrahim. He has served under former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma.
- 14 police personnel, including Sachin Vaze, were suspended in 2004. All of them were accused of custodial death of Khwaja Younis, an accused in the 2002 Ghatkopar blast.
- He resigned from the police force in 2007, upset over the end of the suspension period.
- He joined shiv sena in 2008 after leaving his job as Mumbai police on November 30, 2007.
- Sachin Vaze returned to the police force during Corona crisis in the state last year.
Sachin Vaze Might Have Killed My Husband: Vimla Hiran
Vimla Hiran, wife of auto parts dealer Mansukh Hiran who died mysteriously last week, has alleged in her statement to the ATS that Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze might have killed her husband.
The police officer did not offer comment immediately on the allegations.
A Scorpio, with 20 gelatin sticks inside, was found near Antilia, Ambani's high-rise residence in south Mumbai, on February 25. Police said the vehicle was stolen from Hiran's possession on February 18. The mystery deepened after Hiran's body was found in a creek last Friday in neighbouring Thane.
Vaze Protected By Shiv Sena: Fadnavis
Former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said Vaze was being protected as he belonged to the ruling party. Vaze had joined the Shiv Sena in 2008 while under suspension.
Vaze was suspended in the Khwaja Yunus custodial death case and but was reinstated in his job last year during the COVID-19 lockdown, Fadnavis said.
"When I was the chief minister, the issue of reinstating Vaze had come up but the advocate general had advised against it," Fadnavis said.
While announcing the SIT probe in the Delkar case, home minister Deshmukh said the MP had said in the suicide note that he was ending his life in Mumbai as he had faith in Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra government.
How Did Fadnavis Obtain CDR, Questions Congress
Jumping into the debate on the Mansukh Hiran death case, Nana Patole of the Congress asked how did Fadnavis get hold of the call data record (CDR), and how an unidentified vehicle could reach so close to Ambani's house.
Patole also asked on what basis Fadnavis said the vehicle found outside Ambani's house did not have explosives.
Bhaskar Jadhav (Shiv Sena) said the BJP was targeting Vaze as he had arrested Goswami in the Naik suicide case.
Deshmukh said Fadnavis's own role in the "cover-up" of that case will be probed.
(With additional information from PTI)
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