The Antilia bomb scare occurred on 25 February 2021, when a car containing 20 gelignite sticks was found outside the residence of Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai.
[1][2] A note found inside the vehicle, addressed to Mukesh and his wife Nita Ambani, said that the act was a prelude and threatened additional violence.
Since it was in a no-parking zone, Mumbai Traffic Police attached a wheel clamp to it in the morning and generated an electronic fine receipt.
The printed letter, addressed to Mukesh and Nita Ambani, said that this was a "trailer"; the explosives would be assembled next time and preparations had been made for the next blast, intended to kill the whole family.
[15] Hiren's autopsy, performed at Hirenat Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, did not specify the cause of death[16] but reported multiple abrasions before he died.
[17] An accidental-death report was filed at the Mumbra police station, and Hiren's death was transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Squad on the basis of an order from the Maharashtra Home Department.
[18] The ATS collected the documents from the Mumbra police station, and registered a case of murder on 7 March[19] based on the complaint by Hiren's wife.
They said that he was in his car décor shop in Thane when he received a call around 8 pm from a caller who identified himself as Tawde, posing as an investigator in the bomb-scare case.
[22][23] On 13 March, after over 12 hours of questioning, Vaze had been arrested by the National Investigation Agency for his involvement in placing the explosive-laden vehicle near Antilia.
[22][23] Vaze's supervisor, Param Bir Singh (who had worked closely with him), was removed from his post as Mumbai police commissioner.
[26][27] According to opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis, Vaze and Singh were pawns of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (a coalition of the NCP, Shiv Sena and Indian National Congress) state government.
[29] The Mumbai-based newspaper Mid-Day learned from members of the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) that Vaze had begun collecting money in December 2020.
He would call from his office in the Commissioner of Police compound for monthly amounts and, if paid, would ensure that the Social Service Branch would not conduct raids.
Analysis of CCTV footage along the route taken by the two cars showed them driving separately, crossing the Mulund toll post, meeting at Priyadarshini Junction in Kurla, and proceeding towards Byculla.
According to Hiren's statements to the Crime Branch, Newton (whom he had known since 2016) brought the vehicle to his car décor shop to have it fitted with accessories.
[37] The ATS said that, based on CCTV footage near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, Hiren met Vaze for 10 minutes after parking the car.
[39] Assistant Police Inspector Riyazuddin Kazi, who removed a CCTV digital video recorder from Vaze's residence in Thane, was investigated.
Also, retired police officer Pradeep Sharma; known as encounter specialist came to be arrested by NIA on charges of providing funds to kill Mansukh Hiren.
[22] On 21 March, the ATS arrested cricket bookie Naresh Ramniklal Gor and police officer Vinayak Balasaheb Shinde (who worked with Vaze) for their involvement in Mansukh Hiren's murder.