COP SUNIL MANE DISMISSED: ‘HE BOUGHT CAR FOR HIRAN MURDER’

MUMBAI: Former Mumbai crime branch inspector Sunil Mane, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on April 23 for the alleged murder of Thane trader Mansukh Hiran, has been dismissed summarily from service.

Mumbai Police commissioner Hemant Nagrale on Tuesday issued the order of Mane’s dismissal under Article 311(2) (B) of the Constitution without holding a disciplinary inquiry.

The police said that based on the findings of NIA’S probe about Mane’s role in the serious case, his dismissal procedure was initiated. The dismissal order (of which HT has a copy) stated that Mane borrowed a Volkswagen car from his friend which was used for Hiran’s abduction and murder. “Mane had collected mobile phones and SIM cards from main accused API (assistant police inspector) Sachin Vaze and used it for impersonation and abduction of Hiran. Importantly, Mane also called Hiran using a fictitious name ‘Mr. Tawde, police inspector from Kandivli,’ and called him out of his house and took him to the spot where he was killed (sic),” the commissioner’s order read. The order further stated that when Mane’s house was searched, NIA found incriminating documents, while the agency seized photocopies of four vehicle registration documents, photocopies of three agreements and three bank passbooks from a firm related to him at Goregaon (West). Mane’s disclosure statement has also pointed out the places in and around Thane and Palghar areas, which were relevant to the crime being investigated by NIA.

It has also been revealed in the probe that in order to camouflage his identity on the day of Hiran’s murder, Mane had handed over his mobile phone and bag to a witness and asked the latter to deposit them at his residence, so as to mislead the investigation agency.

“Mane allegedly abused his official position and instead of upholding the law, misused his position to commit serious crimes, becoming a part of conspiracy, destruction of evidence etc., having propensity to seriously jeopardise law and order in the state. He was fully aware of duties and responsibilities assigned to him as police officer and was duty bound for keeping utmost integrity and its strict enforcement and compliance,” Nagrale observed in the order.

The police chief also observed that Mane’s conduct is more like a seasoned criminal rather than a police officer and he shows the very grave delinquency, which is enough to justify his dismissal.

On February 25, a Scorpio car was found abandoned near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s south Mumbai residence Antilia with 20 loose gelatin sticks and a threatening note addressed to the industrialist. Hiran, who was in possession of the SUV and had reported it stolen on February 17, was found dead on March 5.