The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday took over the probe into the Mumbai SUV case involving the recovery of gelatin sticks and a threatening letter addressed to Mukesh Ambani and his wife, Nita, from a vehicle parked near Ambani’s house.
However, the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) will continue to investigate the death of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiren, who had the SUV in his possession.
The development left the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra fuming, with the CM saying there was something “fishy” and hence the federal agency had taken over the investigation.
Uddhav, who is locked in a bitter tussle with the Modi government, said the state would dig deep and probe the alleged suicide of Dadra and Nagar Haveli MP Mohan Delkar, who had left several names in a note.
Read: NIA takes over case of vehicle laden with explosives found near Mukesh Ambani's home
After last week’s incident and mounting pressure from the BJP, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh directed the ATS to take over both the cases — parking of Scorpio near the house of Ambani and the death of Hiren.
The ATS converted the ADR into an FIR against “unknown persons” and launched investigations into the possible murder as demanded by his wife Vimla Hiren.
“The ATS will probe the Mansukh Hiren case...the state government is capable...as far as the planting of the Scorpio is concerned, it has been taken over by the NIA,” Deshmukh said.
Uddhav told reporters that there was “something fishy and hence it was taken over by NIA”. “We will ensure that what is fishy is exposed,” he said, adding the Opposition does not seem to have faith in the “government machinery”.
The Chief Minister also said the state police will conduct a probe into the alleged suicide of Lok Sabha member Mohan Delkar and “punish” the guilty.