Maharashtra: NIA arrests ex-encounter cop Pradeep Sharma in Antilia-Hiran murder case

MUMBAI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) 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 commission of the crime.
Sharma, who was holidaying with his family at Aamby Valley in Lonavla, was picked up by the NIA early Thursday morning and was brought to the agency’s office.

Two others, Satish Tirupati Mothkuri alias Tanni alias Vicky Baba (40) and Manish Vasant Soni (46), were arrested from Malad. The special NIA judge Prashant Sitre remanded the three to police custody till June 28. The role of a senior police officer, who reportedly extended logistics support, is being ascertained.
Sharma, known for his encounter killings, was earlier arrested in 2009 in the alleged fake encounter of Chhota Rajan aide Lakhan Bhaiya in 2006. In 2013 he was acquitted.
An NIA team accompanied by CRPF personnel reached Sharma’s house and office, located at different spots in J B Nagar, Andheri, and carried out searches for more than six hours. The NIA claims to have recovered some cash, documents and illegal arms and ammunition.
While seeking custody, special NIA public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves told the court the role of Sharma has now surfaced, hence they have arrested him. He said they want to ascertain the deep-rooted conspiracy in the case. The court rejected Gonsalves’ request to disallow the media inside the court as it was a sensitive case.
According to the NIA, on March 4, dismissed policemen Sachin Waze and Sunil Mane handed over 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 who were 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 in the larger conspiracy, hence we want 14 days’ police custody.”
The vehicle laden with explosives was found on February 25, and Hiran’s body was found in a creek in Mumbra on March 5.
NIA sources said Sharma is accused of attending conspiracy meetings held at the police headquarters on March 2 and 4 between him and Waze and two other officers. Another meeting also 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. Sharma is also accused of procuring gelatin sticks from a Thane-based businessman who is his friend.
Judge Sitre asked NIA officials why they didn’t arrest Sharma if they had unearthed a conspiracy when they had arrested police inspector Sunil Mane. On the judge’s demand, NIA superintendent of police Vikram Khalate showed him the case diary.
Gonsalves told court, “We had information about Sharma’s role in the crime 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 in fact 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 who are to be arrested.”
Sharma’s lawyer Sudeep Pasbola argued there was no material evidence to link his client’s role in the case and said he has been cooperating with the agency whenever summoned. Sharma sought permission to speak, and the court asked him to come into the witness box.
Dressed in blue jeans and a white shirt, Sharma said, “Sir, 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 for 12 years. I run an NGO, PS Foundation. There are unknown people who come and pose for photographs with me, and as far as seizure of the revolver is concerned, it was gifted to me by former police commissioner Subhash Malhotra. Its licence has expired and I forgot to renew it.”
With this, the number of persons arrested in the case is 10. Earlier, NIA arrested four other policemen: Waze, Riyazuddin Kazi, Sunil Mane and former constable Vinayak Shinde.
Sources said Sharma’s role cropped up after Shellar and Jadhav spilled the beans before NIA. In fact, when Shellar and Jadhav were produced before Judge Shitre at his house on Sunday for remand, Jadhav reportedly told them Sharma was part of the conspiracy.