Police officer Sachin Vaze removed from crime branch: Deshmukh
Maharashtra Home Minister AnilDeshmukh On Wednesday announced the removal of Mumbai policeofficer Sachin Vaze from the Crime Intelligence Unit till theinquiry into the mysterious death of automobile parts dealerMansukh Hiran is not completed.
While making the announcement in the MaharashtraLegislative Council, Deshmukh said the state government willconduct an impartial probe into the death of Hiran.
“Police officer Sachin Vaze will be removed from hiscurrent posting in the crime branch till the investigation isnot completed. I am taking this decision in view of the risingdemand from the opposition,” the minister said.
Mansukh Hiran was in possession of the SUV which wasfound with explosives outside industrialist Mukesh Ambanishouse in south Mumbai on February 25.
Police said the vehicle was stolen from Hiranspossession on February 18. The mystery deepened after Hiransbody was found in a creek last Friday in neighbouring Thane.
Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly DevendraFadnavis on Tuesday demanded action against API Sachin Vaze inconnection with the death of Hiran.
“We will take appropriate action against Vaze if he isinvolved in his death,” Deshmukh said in the Council onWednesday.
However, Leader of Opposition in the Council PravinDarekar and other opposition members expressed dissatisfactionover the governments decision.
“Vaze is in some way involved in the death of MansukhHiran. He should face legal action and should be suspended atonce,” Darekar said.
Later, talking to reporters in the Vidhan Bhavancomplex, Deshmukh said the Maharashtra government has decidedto transfer Vaze from the crime branch till the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) completes its probe into the case ofHirans death.
Referring to the alleged suicide of Dadra and NagarHaveli Lok Sabha member Mohan Delkar, he said a case has beenregistered at the Marine Drive police station based on acomplaint of the MPs son.
Besides, a case has been registered against the UnionTerritorys administrator Praful Kheda Patelunder thePrevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, the minister said.
Delkar (58), a seven-term MP from Dadra and NagarHaveli, was found dead in a hotel in Marine Drive area ofsouth Mumbai on February 22. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anil Parabsaid in the state Assembly that API Vaze will be shifted fromthe Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU).
“I also request the leader of opposition to hand overthe proof that he has to the police,” he said.
The issue was raised by Fadnavis, who demanded thatthe government shift Vaze from his present posting.
“We want the House to function and debate on thebudget. The government has said it will probe the MansukhHiran case. Vaze has to be shifted from his present posting,”Fadnavis said.
Earlier, before Home Minister Deshmukhs announcementin the Council, the Upper House witnessed ruckus as theopposition BJP demanded action against Vaze.
BJP MLCs Gopichand Padalkar and Darekar sought to knowDeshmukhs stand on Vaze and why the police officer was being”protected” by the state.
As Deshmukh started speaking on how the crime rate inMaharashtra came down last year as compared to 2019 citing areport of the NCRB, Darekar objected to it and demanded thathe first speak onwhat action would be taken on Vaze.
Amid the ruckus, Councils Deputy Chairperson NeelamGorhe adjourning the House for five minutes.
Meanwhile, Urban Development Minister Eknath Shindetold reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan complex that theMaharashtra ATS and the National Investigation Agency (NIA)were probing the case of Hirans death and the recovery ofexplosives-laden vehicle outside Ambanis house.
“The truth will come out after the probe is completed.
It will be unfair to take action until the probe is completed.
So Vaze willbe transfered from his present posting,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)