Ambani Car Bomb Threat: Vehicle Owner Found Dead; Police Say Looks Like Suicide

The investigation into the case of threat to the family of Mukesh Ambani has witnessed a new twist.

On 25 February, a car laden with explosives was found near the residence of the industrialist Mukesh Ambani. Reportedly, around 20 gelatin sticks were found in a green SUV abandoned on Carmichael Road in Mumbai’s posh Pedder Road area. The SUV had a wrong number plate and was found about 600 metres away from Ambani’s house.

The car was tracked to one Mansukh Hiren.

Hiren, in his statement to Mumbai Police, said that his car had not been in use for over a year, and that he recently drove the car because he wanted to sell it. According to him, the car broke down and he to park it at the Mulund-Airoli Link Road, but when he returned to the spot the next day, the car was not there.

Now, Mansukh Hiren’s dead body has been found. He allegedly committed suicide by jumping into Kalwa creek. Reportedly, Naupada police is on the spot. The Police say it appears to be a case of suicide.

A handwritten letter in broken English addressed to Mukesh and Neeta Ambani was also found in the car. The writers called the planted explosives a 'trailer' and threatened to return later with more preparations to assassinate the whole family.

A few days later, an outfit named Jaish-ul-Hind claimed responsibility for the act by posting a message on the social media platform Telegram.

Reportedly, the same Jaish Ul Hind had claimed responsibility for the Israel embassy blast in Delhi.

However, the same evening, another letter posted by a group claiming to be the ‘real’ Jaish Ul Hind said it had not posted the first message and that it had nothing to do with the car found near Ambani’s house.

The Opposition today raised questions over the handling of the investigation by the Maharashtra government.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former chief minister of the state, Devendra Fadnavis, said, “I asked in House for protection to Mansukh Hiren, as he is the main link in the case and might be in danger. Now we get to know of his dead body being found. It makes the case fishy. Looking at this, and the alleged terror angle, we demand that case be handed over to NIA.”