TheNational Investigation Agency on Friday arrested a Mumbai Police Crime Branchinspector Sunil Mane in connection with the twin cases of a SUV planted nearthe home of industrialist Mukesh Ambani and Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran'smurder, official sources said.
Mane,who was subjected to a tough grilling on Thursday, is suspected to have helpedthe arrested-suspended Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze and others,pointing to his involvement in these cases.
Hewill be produced before a Special NIA Court later in the day, along with theother two arrested cops, Vaze and Riyazuddin Kaji - whose remand will end onFriday.
Manebecomes the third Crime Branch official after Vaze and Kaji to be arrested inthese cases in the past two months.
OnFebruary 25, a Scorpio SUV with 20 gelatin sticks and a threat letter wasrecovered near Antilia, the home of the Ambanis, and on March 5, Hiran's bodywas fished out of the wetlands in the Thane Creek.
Twoothers - convicted ex-cop Vinayak Shinde and a cricket bookie Naresh Gor - werealso arrested in these cases which created a national sensation.
Later,the government effected a major shakeup in the police force which saw thetransfer of then Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh as Commandant General,state Home Guards, while IPS officer Hemant Nagrale replacing him as citypolice chief.