THE THANE CONNECTION
All the police officers who have vital information in the Antilia-Hiran case were posted together in the satellite city till a year and a half ago
SACHIN VAZE
A resident of Thane, he was Singh’s most trusted aide till the latter was shunted out as Mumbai police commissioner on March 17. Vaze, now under arrest and suspension, is the prime suspect in parking an explosives-laden Scorpio near Mukesh Ambani’s residence and the murder of Scorpio owner Mansukh Hiran.
MANSUKH HIRAN
The NIA suspects the Thane resident was used as a courier in the planting of explosives. It was his vehicle that was laden with gelatin sticks and parked near Antilia. It is not yet clear whether he voluntarily participated in the plot or was coerced into doing so. He was found dead on March 5.
PARAM BIR SINGH
As the commissioner of police in Thane between 2015 and 2018, Singh ensured his trusted officers get prominent postings in his jurisdiction
PRADEEP SHARMA
He was head of the anti-extortion cell in Thane from 2017-19 when Singh was commissioner. When Sharma opted for voluntary retirement in August 2019, a month before the assembly election, Singh instantly recommended that he be relieved.
PARAG MANERE
The DCP (deputy superintendent of police) was with the Thane crime branch when Singh was commissioner. Currently, Manere is with the economic offences wing of the Mumbai Police. The NIA believes he can help join the dots between the suspected officers as he might have crucial information on their money transactions. The agency has requested him to cooperate.
SANJAY PATIL
The assistant commissioner of police (social service branch) was part of Singh’s team in Thane. Singh again made him a member of his team when he became Mumbai police commissioner on Feb. 28, 2020. Singh has presented his chat with Patil on March 16 as evidence that home minister Anil Deshmukh had given the police a target of collecting Rs 100 crore a month from bars and restaurants.
VINAYAK SHINDE
The former constable is a resident of Thane suburb Kalva. The ATS arrested him on March 24 for allegedly killing Hiran. Shinde, along with 12 other policemen, was convicted in 2011 for the fake encounter of Ramnarayan Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiyya. He was a member of Sharma’s team at that time.