Mansukh Hiran Death: More Senior Mumbai Cops Under NIA Radar

NIA's focus now is on former Mumbai Police encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, known as Sachin Waze's mentor.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is still probing the role of Param Bir Singh in the mysterious death of a Thane trader in March even as the CBI, based on the former Mumbai Police Commissioner's allegations, prepares to question Anil Deshmukh who resigned as Maharashtra Home Minister a few days ago. The terror probe agency is also looking into the affairs of other top city policemen who may be connected to Mansukh Hiran's death, officials with the terror probe agency have said. "Contrary to claims made by Param Bir Singh, we have been able to establish that Sachin Waze was directly reporting to him. We have recorded his statement in which he has denied knowing anything, but we still have not given him a clean chit," a senior NIA official disclosed to NDTV. Mr Singh was questioned in connection with both, the Antilia bomb threat case and Mr Hiran's death. The auto parts dealer was found dead under mysterious circumstances days after an explosives-laden car, later traced back to him, was found on Mumbai's Carmichael Road with a threat letter to industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The former Mumbai police chief, who was moved out over the mishandling of the car bomb case, later made corruption allegations against Mr Deshmukh eventually leading to his resignation. Mr Waze, who is suspected to have played a role both in the Antilia bomb scare case and Mr Hiran's death, was alleged to have been part of Mr Deshmukh's extortion racket, according to Mr Singh. The former Crime Branch officer was earlier arrested by the NIA in connection with the Ambani threat case.