SUV bomb scare case: NIA arrests Sachin Waze's associate Riyazuddin Qazi

NIA officers take Sachin Waze to the sessions court. File pic

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested Assistant Police Inspector Riyazuddin Qazi, a close aide of suspended API Sachin Waze. Qazi was attached to Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) of Mumbai Crime Branch and was part of all high-profile investigations carried out by Waze. He was produced before a special court on Sunday and was sent to NIA custody till April 16.

"He was part of the conspiracy and played an important role in destroying the evidence," said a senior NIA officer.

Earlier, there were reports that he may become a crucial witness in the case which the agency has denied and now he has been arrested in the SUV bomb scare case and Mansukh Hiran murder case.

According to sources, Qazi went to Waze's housing society in Thane and collected the digital video recorder (DVR) of the society. He was also seen at various garage's where fake number plates were made. Later, he took the DVR from those shops and allegedly destroyed them.

After Waze's arrest, Qazi was transferred to the local arm's unit of Mumbai Police. As he has been arrested in the case now, Mumbai Police will process his suspension order.