SUV with explosive material, letter caught near Business tycoon Mukesh Ambani’s house Antilia in Mumbai
A suspicious vehicle with gelatin, an explosive material, inside was found parked near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house Antilia in Mumbai on Thursday. An FIR has been registered in connection with the seizure of a vehicle.
suspicious SUV containing 20 gelatin sticks was found outside billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s residence Antilia in Mumbai on Thursday. The SUV, a Scorpio, was spotted near the famous Antilia on Peddar road.
The abandoned vehicle was spotted by the Ambanis’ security detail on Thursday evening and the local police was informed. The bomb squad was also called at the spot and after examining the vehicle, around 20 gelatin sticks were found inside it.
“20 gelatin sticks have been found inside the vehicle,” confirmed a senior Mumbai Police officer who had visited the spot. Issuing a statement, the Mumbai Police PRO confirmed that only gelatin sticks were found inside the car and not an assembled explosive device.
An FIR has been registered at the Gamdevi Police Station against unidentified persons, a Mumbai Police spokesperson said. Police have registered 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), the spokesperson said.
Section four 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.
According to Mumbai Police, some number plates were also found inside the SUV. The number plates inside the vehicle reportedly matched vehicles used in the security detail of Mukesh Ambani. Police have also revealed that a letter was found from the vehicle but its content has not been made public yet.
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh also confirmed the discovery of gelatin sticks inside a car near Mukesh Ambani’s house and said that the Mumbai Crime Branch was investigating the matter.
Soon after the explosive material was found, heavy police presence was seen near Carmichael Road, including commandos. Officials from the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police also visited the spot where the car was found.
According to the police, details regarding the suspicious vehicle are being investigated and CCTVs in the area are being scanned by officials from the Mumbai Crime Branch. The vehicle was towed away by the police to a safe place and investigators are trying to ascertain the identity of its owner.
The investigation is presently being carried out by the Mumbai Crime Branch, though ATS officials are also investigating if there is any terror angle involved in the incident.
Preliminary CCTV footage shows that the Scorpio was parked near Antilia around 1 am on Thursday. Two vehicles can be seen in the footage — a Scorpio and an Innova. The driver of the Scorpio parked the car near Mukesh Ambani’s house and left in the other vehicle.
