Antilia case: NIA searches hotel in Mumbai

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has searched a club in connection with the alleged murder of businessman Mansukh Hiren, whose car was used in creating a security scare outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence.

Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday searched a club in connection with the alleged murder of businessman Mansukh Hiren, whose car was used in creating a security scare outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence. NIA recovered crucial documents pertaining to the SIM cards used by suspended police officer Sachin Waze, officials said here.

They said the searches were carried out at 'Aashish Club' run by a person identified as Devajit who is alleged to have employed one of the accused in the case, Naresh Gor, on Waze's instructions.

Read:Hiren case: 2 accused sent to NIA custody till April 7

The officials said that Waze had instructed Naresh to procure SIM cards for his personal use.

Naresh is alleged to have procured the SIM cards from the neighbouring state of Gujarat and these were handed over to Waze through co-accused Vinayak Shinde, the officials said.

One of these SIM cards was used by Waze to give a call to Hiran, which turned out to be the last call before the businessman was killed. The body of Hiran, who was in possession of the SUV used in the security scare incident, was found in a creek in the Mumbra town of the neighbouring Thane district on March 5.

During the searches on Thursday, documents pertaining to the SIM cards were seized from the club, besides some other material that indicated that alleged kickbacks being paid to government servants, the officials said.

Read:Antilia case: NIA arrests fourth accused from Gujarat, custody of two others extended till April 7

They said Hiran was allegedly killed by Waze after reports started surfacing that the case would be handed over to the central agency for probe.

Initial investigations suggested that Hiran was called to a place where he was made unconscious with the help of some drugs before being smothered to death.

His vehicle was found outside Ambani's house in Mumbai on February 25 with gelatin sticks and a threat note.

The NIA has said in the court that Waze had taken the car from Hiran before allegedly planting the explosives and parking it outside Ambani's house on February 25.

Waze was arrested on March 15 by the NIA and is at present in the custody of the agency till April 3.

Read:NIA recovers Sachin Vaze' diary

The Maharashtra ATS, which was initially probing the Hiran murder case, had arrested Gor and Shinde. This case was also taken over by the NIA and the duo are in the custody of the agency till April 10.

(With input from agencies)