Former Encounter Specialist Pradeep Sharma arrested by NIA

Antilia Explosive and Mansukh Deer Murder Case

The court remanded three accused, including Shiv Sena leader Pradeep Sharma, in NIA custody till June 28 and seized NIA raid documents and other materials from Sharma's house in Andheri.

Mumbai: Controversial former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma has been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) team. Two others have also been arrested along with former senior police inspector Pradeep Sharma.

Sharma is accused of playing a key role in the murder of Mansukh Hiran, the owner of an explosive-laden vehicle found near the house of businessman Mukesh Ambani, and the destruction of evidence.

He was produced before a special court today. The court had remanded him in NIA custody till June 28. An NIA officer raided Sharma's house in Andheri. Meanwhile, some documents and other items are said to have been seized.

Pradeep Sharma was on the NIA's radar in the Antilia explosives and Mansukh Hiran murder case. Sharma was arrested from Lonavla. He was then interrogated. Sharma was then arrested.

A search operation was conducted at Sharma's residence in Andheri early this morning and a large police contingent was deployed here. Pradeep Sharma is said to have conspired to assassinate Mansukh along with Sachin Waze, who was earlier nabbed by the NIA team. Sharma is rumored to have enlisted the help of an acquaintance to destroy the evidence.

Vinayak Shinde, Santosh Shelar, Anand Jadhav, Manish Soni, Satish were involved in this crime. Mansukh's body was dumped in Retibandar Bay near Thane after the murder. It was learned that Sharma had also provided a car and money for this. Sharma's involvement is said to have come to light after the NIA team recently interrogated Santosh and Anand.