Mumbai bomb scare case: Sachin Vaze targeted for arresting Arnab Goswami, claims Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena on Monday (March 15) reiterated its support for Maharashtra Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze, claiming that Waze was targeted by the BJP-led government at the Centre for arresting Republic TV editor-in chief Arnab Goswami in the Anvay Naik suicide case. The Sena alleged in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' that Waze earned the ire of BJP as he had exposed the TRP manipulation case which also involved Arnab.

Shiv Sena stressed that Vaze’s arrest by the NIA was an “insult” to Maharashtra police and the BJP government at the Centre has done this deliberately. “Everything was decided. Those who are happy with Waze’s arrest are making attacks on Maharashtra’s autonomy,” it alleged.

“Waze arrested Arnab Goswami and, in return, the Centre arrested Vaze. Vaze has been on the hit-list of the BJP and Centre ever since he arrested Goswami. The Centre wasn’t willing to wait until Mumbai police had completed their probe. Incidents like the discovery of 20 gelatin sticks are taking place every day in India. Caches of explosives are found in Kashmir valley even today, but did the NIA team go there?” asked the editorial in Saamana.

“Nowadays Central agencies rush to Maharashtra as soon as something goes wrong in the state. It is a surprise that a Central probe team should come to Mumbai to investigate 20 gelatin sticks when the ability and courage of Mumbai is praised across the world,” said Shiv Sena, adding that the NIA team was in Maharashtra “to settle scores”.

It may be recalled that was arrested by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) on Saturday (March 13) for his alleged role in placing an explosives-laden vehicle near Antilia, the residence of Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani, few weeks ago.

The NIA arrested Vaze after interrogating him for hours at the NIA's office in Mumbai. Vaze is already facing probe by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with two other cases which are related to this case. The first case in which ATS is probing Vaze is related to death of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran, who was the owner of the Scorpio car found loaded with explosives near Ambani's residence on February 25. Notably, Hiran was found dead few days ago under mysterious circumstances. The ATS is also probing another case which is related to the theft of the same vehicle. Hiran's wife has accused Vaze of being involved in her husband's death.