Mumbai police officer Sachin Vaze, who was arrested in connection with the probe into recovery of explosives from a Scorpio parked near Mukesh Ambani's residence, has been remanded to NIA custody till March 25.
The NIA had arrested Vaze on Saturday night after questioning him for more than 11 hours. He was arrested under Sections of IPC and Explosive Substances Act.
A Thane court, rejecting the interim bail plea of Vaze, noted that custodial interrogation is necessary in the case.
Meanwhile, the investigating agency on Sunday seized a white Innova car. It is not clear if it was the same Innova that was following the explosives-laden Scorpio before the latter was parked near Ambani's residence in south Mumbai on February 25.
According to the police official, the Innova, having Tardeo RTO's registration number 'MH 01 ZA 403' and 'Police' written on its rear windshield, was brought to the NIA's office on Pedder Road here with the help of towing van, hours after the arrest of Vaze.
The Scorpio found parked near Ambani's house on Carmichael Road on February 25 contained some gelatin sticks and a threat letter.
Vaze, an "encounter specialist,” is also facing heat in the murder case of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran who was in possession of this Scorpio. Hiran was found dead in a creek in Thane district on March 5.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is investigating the Hiran murder case. It had registered an FIR against unidentified persons days after Hiran's body was found.
Vaze, accused by Hiran's wife of involvement in her husband's suspicious death, was shunted out of the Mumbai crime branch a few days back.
—With PTI inputs
