What was perceived as another terrorist ploy, the story of gelatin-sticks laden SUV, is taking bizarre turns. A Scorpio was noticed parked on the 25th of February in front of Antilia, Mukesh Ambani’s residence. It carried a deadly arsenal, 20 gelatin sticks, but they were not set off. A few wires, batteries and detonating devices. A chilling note was addressed to the Ambanis, which cautioned them that the SUV was merely a ‘sample.’
Antilia could be the most important private residences in Mumbai, why in India, and any threat to the tower or its occupants could have international ramifications. A hitherto unknown terror outfit, Jaish-Ul-Hind claimed responsibility, demanding an unknown sum in cryptocurrency. The call was traced to Tihar Jail, but the outfit denied any link to the incident or the demand made.
Meanwhile, the SUV owner, Mansukh Hiren and Thane resident was tracked, who claimed that his vehicle had been stolen. But for Antilia and Ambani, the case would have been long closed and buried as further higher-level probe began. Hiren went missing, and his wife filed an FIR accusing one Sachin Waze behind Hiren’s disappearance. Mansukh Hiren’s dead body was late recovered from Thane creek.
The spotlight fell on a rowdy cowboy kind of cop, an Assistant Sub Inspector, an encounter specialist, Sachin Waze. Waze has reportedly 60 ‘encounters’ to his credit and was suspended for 20 years by the Government over a missing person in his custody.
Waze had joined Shiv Sena and was recalled after Sena, NCP, Congress alliance, the Maha Vikas Aghadi formed the Government. He was the ‘collector,’ running an exhortation racket for the Government. That Waze knew Mansukh Hiren and had taken the SUV came out on an investigation, and soon Waze was arrested and suspended again.
The Police Commissioner Parambir Singh, who had officially recalled Waze, was shunted out unceremoniously on an insignificant posting. The case could have been closed, and Waze quickly eliminated in ordinary circumstances, but a surprising twist awaited. The disgraced ex-top cop of Maharashtra shot off a letter, addressed to the Chief Minister, copies duly served to the media. He dropped a bombshell that the Maharashtra Home Minister, Anil Deshmukh had personally directed Waze to collect Rs. 100 crores every month for him. Presently, the Home Minister has stoutly denied the allegation.
The former Commissioner may have done better justice to his uniform had he stepped down, revealing the murky mafia within the police force. It is for people like Waze that the entire Indian police force is looked down upon and considered the official ‘underworld.’
The Supreme Court, which often takes up matters on suo motu, must initiate a probe into the more heinous underworld cops, who are but goondas in khakis. Hiren’s death must be responded to speedily, and all the offenders identified. Waze must not ‘disappear’ or die an ‘unnatural death’ until the investigations are complete, and the perpetrators of the crime punished.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
