Bombay HC Stays Sachin Waze's Bail in Antilia-Hiren Cases
Bombay HC Stays Sachin Waze's Bail in Antilia-Hiren Cases
High drama in court! Bombay High Court temporarily halts ex-cop Sachin Waze's bail in the sensational Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder cases. A major twist in the ongoing legal battle. #MumbaiCrime
In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has temporarily stayed the order passed by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court, which had granted bail to former Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze. The high-profile case involves the Antilia explosives scare and the subsequent murder of Thane trader Mansukh Hiren in 2021.
The matter has been adjourned for further hearing next week, keeping Waze, who is currently lodged in Thane Central Prison, in custody.
The NIA had swiftly moved the Bombay High Court to challenge the special court's decision, arguing against Waze's release. The special NIA court, while granting bail, had controversially noted that there was "no iota of material" to suggest an intent to terrorize, and that the Ambani family, whose residence Antilia was targeted, did not appear to have been terrorized at all.
This ruling sparked immediate contention from the investigating agency.
The legal proceedings at the High Court saw some initial complications. The matter was first placed before a division bench on Tuesday, which recused itself due to a judge's prior association with Waze's lawyer. A subsequent bench also declined to hear the appeal, citing a connection to another criminal case involving Waze and former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
Finally, a division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Dr.
Neela Gokhale heard the NIA's arguments and issued the temporary stay.
Sachin Waze was arrested by the NIA on March 13, 2021, for allegedly orchestrating the planting of an explosives-laden SUV outside Mukesh Ambani's Altamount Road residence. The vehicle, a Mahindra Scorpio, belonged to Mansukh Hiren and contained 20 gelatine sticks along with a threatening note aimed at the Ambani family. The incident had sent shockwaves across the city.
The case further deepened with the mysterious death of Mansukh Hiren, whose body was found in a creek.
According to the NIA's investigation, Waze himself allegedly parked the SUV outside Antilia and subsequently conspired with others, including former encounter specialist Pradip Sharma and inspector Sunil Mane, to murder Hiren after he refused to take the blame for the incident.
The ongoing legal battle continues to unfold, with public attention firmly fixed on its progression.
