# India

SUV case fallout: Pawar-Anil Deshmukh meet in New Delhi

“The NIA and ATS are investigating the matter in depth. The state government is fully cooperating with the NIA… Both their probes are proceeding in the right direction,” informed Deshmukh.

IANS | New Delhi | March 19, 2021 1:49 pm

SUV case fallout: Pawar-Anil Deshmukh meet in New Delhi

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh called on Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar along with state NCP chief Jayant Patil and others in New Delhi on Friday.

Emerging from the meeting after nearly two hours, Deshmukh said that they discussed the fallout in the Antilia bomb scare case in which an explosive-laden SUV was left outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence, and the Assistant Police Inspector (API) Sachin Vaze matter besides the ongoing probes by National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) into them.

“The NIA and ATS are investigating the matter in depth. The state government is fully cooperating with the NIA… Both their probes are proceeding in the right direction,” informed Deshmukh.

He said that after the probe agencies’ reports are received, the state government will take appropriate action against the culprits.

However, he declined to answer a query whether the recent developments have resulted in a demoralization of the Mumbai and state police forces which witnessed a major shakeup on Wednesday following the arrest of the Crime Branch API Vaze, and others under the scanner of NIA.

Pawar is expected to return to Mumbai later this evening and may meet Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, amid speculation that there may be some changes in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) cabinet pertaining to NCP ministers.

The case of the SUV parked near the Ambani residence was followed by the death of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiren erupted into a huge political row, Pawar has been closely monitoring the situation with senior leaders of the ruling Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress.

Upping the ante against the MVA, the opposition BJP has demanded that Thackeray should accept moral responsibility in the matter and resign as Chief Minister.