Ambani Bomb Scare Probe: NIA raids home of former encounter specialist

Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided the home of Pradeep Sharma, former Mumbai Police 'encounter specialist', on Thursday morning over his connection with the Mukesh Ambani bomb scare case.

Sharma has been under investigation since April. He was questioned after former Assistant Inspector Sachin Waze had told the NIA that the 20 gelatine sticks found in the SUV near the Ambani residence were procured through Pradeep Sharma's contact. Pradeep Sharma is considered to be the mentor of Sachin Waze.

Waze is the prime suspect in two cases - the bomb scare and the death of businessman Hiran. Mansukh Hiran was found dead in Thane on March 5 after he claimed that the SUV used in the bomb scare was stolen from him.

Sharma is being investigated due to his connection with Santhosh Shelar, an individual who was arrested this week. Investigators found photographs of the two together. Pradeep Sharma dismissed the allegations saying that Shelar was a police informant. He added that there are photographs of him with many people, and the picture in question does not mean anything.

Both Santhosh Shelar and Sachin Waze are in NIA custody till June 21. Another individual, Anand Jadhav was also arrested in association with the case.

A team from the central agency and armed CRPF (central reserve police force) personnel have been conducting searches since 5 am at the Andheri house.