Highlights:
- Shiv Sena hits at Center asking “What about Pulwama?” on NIA probe
- NIA arrested a Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze
- Mumbai Police Chief was also replaced 2 days ago
Just 2 days after Mumbai Police Comissioner, Param Bir Singh, was replaced over the handling of the Reliance Industries Limited’s Chairman Mukesh Ambani Security scare, the ruling party in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena, has raised questions on the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s investigation as well as the arrest of a police officer, Sachin Waze.
The sacking of the Mumbai Police Chief was described by the Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh as a decision by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray who is also the Shiv Sena chief after “unforgivable lapses” were revealed by the probe, the editorial in Sena mouthpiece “Saamna” comes out in Param Bir Singh’s support.
The case is believed to have caused strain between the Shiv Sena one of its ally NCP, which is Anil Deshmukh’s party.
The Shiv Sena editorial said, “The 20 gelatin sticks found on Carmichael Road did not explode but these explosives are causing explosions in politics and the administration. The Mumbai Police Commissioner has had to go from his post because of this episode”.
The case involves a Mahindra Scorpio SUV with the gelatin sticks which were found abandoned near Reliance Industries Limited’s Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s Mumbai home “Antilia” in February.
Sachin Waze, the Assistant Police Inspector, who was the first police officer on the case, has been arrested by the NIA over suspicion that he had played a role in the bomb-laden car being parked near Ambani’s abode.
The car belonged to a man named Mansukh Hiran, however, he was found dead in a creek near Mumbai earlier in March, and his wife has blamed Sachin Waze.
Shiv Sena said, in the editorial, that the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Mumbai Police has been investigating the death, however, the NIA “suddenly” took over the investigation.
Saamna said, “The motive behind this will soon come out. There is no link of any terror in this case but the NIA has butted in to investigate this crime? What is going on? The NIA investigates terror incidents across the country.
“But we want to know that the agency investigating gelatin sticks has found in connection with Uri attack, the Pathankot attack and the Pulwama attack.
“What truth have they uncovered? How many criminals have they arrested? This is also a matter of suspense,” said the Saamna.
Just because Param Bir Singh had been removed does not mean it proves that he had committed a crime, said the Shiv Sena editorial.
It said, “Param Bir Singh was responsible for the Mumbai Police at a very difficult time and in spite of the Sushant and Kangana case he did not let it affect the morale of the Mumbai Police. That is why even though the CBI was sent in, they could not go beyond the Mumbai Police probe in the case.”
Shiv Sena said that the ratings scam was also detected during his tenure and a powerful lobby in Delhi was “angry” with him for that.
Shiv Sena also took a jibe that Mansukh Hiran’s suspicious death has caused “more grief” to the party in power in the Center than anyone else, and reminded its ally-turned-bitter rival that one of its Member of Parliament, Ramswarup Sharma, “has died under suspicious circumstances in Delhi”.
The political party also referred to the death of another MP, Mohan Delkar, and also the actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case.
It said, “How to use someone’s death can be learnt from the current opposition. Everyone is trying to lower the morale of the Mumbai Police.
“The Opposition should not commit these sins (paap). If they are dreaming of power in Maharashtra that is their problem.”
BJP Spokesperson Ram Kadam, reacted to the editorial and said, “The Shiv Sena is supporting the Waze Gang. They are praising the transferred police commissioner. He also said, “The Home Minister has mentioned unforgivable lapses. Is he hinting at unforgivable lapses by the Shiv Sena? These two parties are speaking in different voices. Their differences are affecting the law and order situation in the state.”
