Who is Sachin Vaze? Know the cop, who is accused in Mansukh Hiren’s death case

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday demanded the arrest of police officer Sachin Vaze in connection with the mysterious death of auto parts dealer Mansukh Hiren, the owner of a vehicle laden with explosives found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence.

A day after leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis sought the arrest of Mumbai crime branch officer Sachin Vaze, home minister Anil Deshmukh announced his transfer in the legislative council on Wednesday.

“We have decided to move Sachin Vaze. He will be moved from Crime Branch. An impartial inquiry will be done and whoever is guilty will face action,” Deshmukh told the House on the last day of the Assembly session, as Bharatiya Janata Party demanded his suspension.

Sachin Vaze joined the Maharashtra Police Service as a sub-inspector in 1990. He has encountered 63 criminals so far. He had recently arrested Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami from his house. The team formed for Goswami’s arrest was led by Sachin Vaze.

Sachin Vaze returned to the police force on June 6, 2020, after nearly 13 years. He resigned from the Mumbai Police in 2007. Vaze has encountered several goons of Chhota Rajan and Dawood Ibrahim. He has served under former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma.

14 police personnel, including Sachin Vaze, were suspended in 2004. All of them were accused of custodial death of Khwaja Yunus, an accused in the 2002 Ghatkopar blast. He resigned from the police force in 2007, upset over the suspension.

In 2008, Vaze joined the Shiv Sena in presence of late party chief Balasaheb Thackeray. On June 6, 2020, the Maharashtra government revoked Vaze’s suspension and he was reinstated to Mumbai Police during the COVID-19 pandemic.