Dismissed Cop Offers Narco Test to Prove Bribery Claims Against Ex-Minister

In a dramatic turn of events, former Mumbai police officer Sachin Vaze, once a close ally of the Shiv Sena and a supporter of Sharad Pawar, has become a pivotal figure in the ongoing political turmoil in Maharashtra. Vaze served as the assistant police inspector and was reinstated in the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) during the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government. His close ties with Thackeray allowed him unprecedented access within the police hierarchy, positioning him as a key player in Mumbai's law enforcement. However, Vaze's fortunes took a nosedive following allegations from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that he conspired to extort Rs 2,000 crore from industrialist Mukesh Ambani. This scheme involved planting explosives outside Ambani's residence, Antilia, in February 2021. The situation escalated when Vaze, along with accomplices, allegedly murdered Thane businessman Mansukh Hiren, who had become a liability in their plot. Hiren's body was discovered in March 2021, leading to a significant investigation by the NIA. As the investigation unfolds, Vaze has shifted allegiances, now appearing to assist the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its efforts to expose former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. Vaze's recent offer to undergo a narco test to validate claims of collecting Rs 100 crore from bar owners has raised alarms within Deshmukh's camp, further complicating the political landscape. This unexpected alliance highlights the shifting dynamics in Maharashtra politics, where former allies can quickly become adversaries, and the implications of Vaze's statements could have far-reaching consequences for the state's political future.