A suspicious vehicle was found parked near businessman and billionaire Mukesh Ambani›s residence, Antilia, in Mumbai on Thursday. The car was laden with 21 gelatin sticks which is an explosive material.
In an exclusive conversation with The Sunday Guardian, Mumbai Police spokesperson DCP Chaitanya S. said that an FIR has been registered at the Gamdevi Police Station against unidentified persons in connection with the seizure of a vehicle. An FIR has been registered for the case under Indian Penal Code Sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 465 (punishment for forgery), 473 (making or possessing counterfeit seal), 506(2) (criminal intimidation, if threat be to cause death or grievous hurt), 120(B) (criminal conspiracy). Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 (punishment for attempt to cause explosion, or for making or keeping explosive with intent to endanger life or property) has also been included in the FIR.
A threat letter was also recovered from the car which mentioned the names of industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his wife, Nita Ambani. The handwritten letter was reportedly written in Hinglish with grammatical mistakes, calling the planted explosives a ‹trailer› and warning that there will be a return after more preparation to assassinate the whole family later. The contents of the letter read: “Nita bhabhi aur Mukesh bhaiya aur family, ek jhalak hai ye. Agli baar ye saaman pora connect ho ke aayega. Original gaadi mein aayega. Tum pura family ko udaane ke liye intajaam ho gaya hai. Sambal jaana. Gud nit”.
The olive-coloured Scorpio with gelatin sticks was found abandoned on Carmichael Road in Mumbai’s posh Pedder Road area. The SUV had a wrong number plate and was found about 500 metres away from the Ambanis’ house on Altamount Road. The SUV had been apparently stolen from Mumbai›s Vikhroli area and the police have identified its real owner, but the suspect has not been traced so far. Hiren Mansook, the car owner, said his car had crashed in Thane and stopped moving, which is why he had he left his car there, only to come back the next day and realise that it had been stolen. The car owner reached the Commissioner of Police office for further investigation on the case.
Mumbai Police has deployed its personnel outside the Ambanis’ house after the explosives were found in the area, tightening security at Antilia. The police also called in the bomb squad after the police control room was informed about the vehicle. On Friday evening, the National Investigation Agency team also reached the Mumbai Commissioner of Police office to investigate the case further.
Reliance Industries released an official statement which said, “We are thankful to Mumbai Police for their quick and immediate action. We are confident that Mumbai Police will complete their thorough investigation quickly.”