Mumbai, May 4: In a huge development, National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday, named former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma as the 'key conspirator' in the Mansukh Hiren murder case.
Another disclosure has been made by NIA which revealed that the murder was plotted in Mumbai Police Commissioner's office compound - where meetings to kill Hiren were held. Also, ex-Mumbai API Sachin Vaze funded the entire plot and paid Rs 45 lakhs for Hiren's murder.
An affidavit was filed by NIA before Bombay HC on Wednesday, stating that former police officer Pradeep Sharma was the 'main conspirator' behind killing of Mansukh Hiren. It also stated that "alleged conspiracy was hatched in the CP compound building, where Pradeep Sharma and other accused attended various meetings and Sachin Vaze gave 45 lakhs to Pradeep Sharma for henchmen to kill Mansukh Hiren."
The revelations have been made in response to the bail application filed by Pradeep Sharma. The HC has posted the matter for hearing on July 17.
Notably, after arrest of Pradeep Sharma in June 2021, NIA told the court that 2 accused in the case, Santosh Shelar & Anand Jadhav, admitted to killing the businessman. It was alleged that the team comprising 4 individuals strangled the late businessman in a red Tavera car and then reported to Pradeep Sharma and Sachin Vaze after completing the job.
The owner of the red Tavera, Santosh Shelar was one of the first people to confess and name ex-cop Pradeep Sharma in the case. NIA had also recorded Sharma's statement and it emerged that he visited the Mumbai Police Commissioner's office on March 2, where he allegedly met Sachin Vaze at Crime Intelligence Unit office.
The events came forth after ex-Mumbai API Sachin Vaze was arrested by NIA in connection with Antilia case where a gelatin-laden SUV and a threat letter were found parked near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's Mumbai residence on February 25.
Days after the incident, the owner of the green Scorpio SUV in question, identified as Mansukh Hiren, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the Kalwa creek in Thane. Hiren's wife alleged that her husband's car was in possession of Sachin Vaze since November 2020.