The Bombay High Court has cancelled the bail granted to former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case. The Division Bench allowed an appeal filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), setting aside the Special Court's September 29, 2026 order granting him bail.
Background
The case relates to the recovery of a Scorpio SUV containing gelatin sticks and a threat letter outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence, Antilia, on February 25, 2021. The vehicle belonged to businessman Mansukh Hiren, whose body was subsequently found in a creek in Thane on March 5, 2021.
The NIA alleged that Waze was involved in placing the explosives-laden vehicle and the subsequent murder of Hiren. However, the Special Court had granted him bail after questioning whether the allegations attracted the definition of a terrorist act under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Before the High Court, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh argued that the Special Court had incorrectly assessed the material collected during the investigation. Senior Advocate VM Thorat, appearing for Waze, opposed the appeal, relying on the absence of a detonator and his prolonged incarceration.
Pronouncing the verdict, the Bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale stated:
"The impugned order of the special court is quashed and set aside. The appeal by the NIA is allowed."
The Court accordingly set aside the bail order. A detailed copy of the High Court's judgment is awaited.
