Mumbai cop Sachin Waze suspended

The Mumbai police on Monday suspended Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Waze following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency in connection with its probe into the recovery of explosives from a car near businessman Mukesh Ambani's home in south Mumbai=.

Deputy Commissioner of Police S Chaitanya told reporters that "API Sachin Waze has been placed under suspension by an order of additional commissioner of police special branch".

The NIA arrested Waze late on Saturday night in connection with its probe into the recovery of a Scorpio containing 20 gelatin sticks near Ambani's home on February 25.

Waze, 49, credited with eliminating 63 alleged criminals in 'encounters', is also facing heat in the case of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran, who was in possession of the Scorpio. Hiran was found dead in a creek in Thane district on March 5.

A Mumbai court on Sunday remanded Waze in the NIA's custody till March 25.

Waze was arrested under IPC sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) 465 (forgery), 473 (making or possessing counterfeit seal with intent to commit forgery), 506(2) (criminal intimidation), 120-B
(criminal conspiracy) and relevant provisions of the Explosive Substances Act, a police official earlier said.

In its remand plea, the NIA submitted statements of witnesses to show Waze's involvement in the case.

Waze, a 1990 batch officer of the state cadre, was earlier suspended in 2004 over his role in the custodial death of a 2002 Ghatkopar blast suspect Khwaja Yunus. He was only reinstated in the police force last year.