Ambani security scare: Ex-encounter cop 'Pradeep Sharma was at conspiracy meetings’

Ahmed Ali / TNN / Updated: Jun 18, 2021, 09:55 IST

MUMBAI: The NIA team probing the planting of explosives in a vehicle near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence and the subsequent murder of vehicle owner Mansukh Hiran arrested retired police inspector and encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, whom the alleged killers spoke to before and after the crime. 
Sharma, who was holidaying with his family at Aamby Valley in Lonavla, was picked up early Thursday morning and brought to NIA’s office. Two others, Satish Tirupati Mothkuri alias Tanni alias Vicky Baba (40) and Manish Vasant Soni (46), were arrested from Malad. With this, the number of persons arrested in the case is 10. 

Special NIA judge Prashant Sitre remanded the three in police custody till June 28. The role of a senior police officer, who reportedly extended logistics support, is being ascertained. The NIA prosecutor told the court Sharma’s role has now surfaced, hence they have arrested him. 
Sharma is also accused of procuring gelatin sticks from a Thane businessman who is his friend. 
‘Sharma was at conspiracy meetings’
An NIA team accompanied by CRPF personnel reached retired cop Pradeep Sharma’s house and office, located at different spots in J B Nagar, Andheri, and carried out searches for over six hours. The NIA claims to have recovered some cash, documents and illegal arms and ammunition. 

Sharma was earlier arrested in 2009 in the alleged fake encounter of Chhota Rajan aide Lakhan Bhaiya in 2006. In 2013 he was acquitted. 
Special NIA public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves told court they want to ascertain the deep-rooted conspiracy in the case. The court rejected his request to disallow the media inside the court as it was a sensitive case. 
According to NIA, on March 4, dismissed policemen Sachin Waze and Sunil Mane handed over Mansukh Hiran to four accused --Santosh Shellar, Anand Jadhav, Satish and Soni at Hotel Hill View at Ghodbunder Road in Thane. The four took him in a Tavera car, smothered him to death and dumped his body in the creek at the behest of Waze and Sharma. Shellar and Jadhav, both Malad residents arrested last Saturday, have also shown the place where they dumped Hiran’s body, NIA claimed. The killers spoke to Waze and Sharma before and after the crime, NIA said. 
Gonsalves said the key accused need to be confronted with each other, without which investigations cannot be completed. “There are other people also involved, hence we want 14 days’ police custody.” The vehicle laden with explosives was found on February 25, and Hi-ran’s body was found in a Mum-bra creek on March 5. 
NIA sources said Sharma is accused of attending conspiracy meetings held at police headquarters on March 2 and 4 between him and Waze and two other officers. Another meeting took place at Sharma’s office in Andheri, where Mane is believed to have handed over a SIM card to be used in the crime. After Hiran’s murder, one SIM card was active up to the point of Sharma’s house at J B Nagar, NIA said. All the accused were in touch with Sharma before and after the crime. 
Judge Sitre asked NIA officials why they didn’t arrest Sharma if they had unearthed a conspiracy when they arrested inspector Sunil Mane. On the judge’s demand, NIA SP Vikram Khalate showed him the case diary. 
Gonsalves told court, “We had information about Sharma’s role but then he was just a suspect and we were collecting evidence. He is an ex-police officer who knows how to dodge the investigating agency. He is a tough nut to crack and he initially misled the agency. We have got traces of DNA samples collected from the Tavera which belonged to Jadhav. A lot of money has been distributed to the accused by Waze and Sharma, which needs to be ascertained. There are a few more people involved... to be arrested.” 
Sharma’s lawyer Sudeep Pas-bola argued there was no material evidence to link his client’s role in the case and said he has been cooperating with the agency. Sharma sought permission to speak and told court, “I am not involved in the crime. I have been made a scapegoat in the fight between two lobbies in the police department. I don’t know these two people who have been arrested along with me. If I was involved, why would I be sleeping in my house, I would have run away. I only know Santosh Shellar as he has been my informant for12 years.” Earlier, NIA arrested four other cops: Waze, Riyazuddin Kazi, Sunil Mane and former constable Vinayak Shinde.