Bombay High Court cancels Sachin Waze's bail in 2021 Antilia bomb scare case

A bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale allowed the NIA's appeal and quashed the order granting bail to Waze in September.

In Short

• NIA's appeal succeeds as High Court sets aside special court's bail order
• Waze to remain in Thane prison in Antilia scare, Hiran murder case for now
• Special court cites lack of prima facie terror evidence while granting Waze bail

The Bombay High Court on Thursday cancelled the bail granted to dismissed police officer Sachin Waze in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and businessman Mansukh Hiran murder case, allowing an appeal filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

With the High Court setting aside the special court’s bail order, Waze will continue to remain lodged at Thane Central Prison.

A bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale allowed the NIA’s appeal and quashed the order granting bail to Waze in September.

"The impugned order is quashed and set aside," the bench observed while allowing the agency’s plea.

Waze, a former assistant police inspector with the Mumbai Police crime branch, was arrested by the NIA on March 13, 2021, for his alleged role in the conspiracy involving an explosives-laden vehicle found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence, Antilia, in south Mumbai.

He is also accused of being involved in the murder of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran.

On February 25, 2021, a Mahindra Scorpio SUV containing 20 gelatin sticks and a threatening letter addressed to Ambani and his family was discovered near Antilia.

Hiran, who had possession of the vehicle before it was allegedly stolen, was found dead in a creek in neighbouring Thane on March 5, 2021.

According to the NIA, Waze allegedly orchestrated the incident and parked the explosives-laden vehicle near Antilia as part of a larger conspiracy.

The agency claimed that the plan was intended to create a high-profile crisis, demonstrate his investigative capabilities and allegedly facilitate extortion. Waze, however, has denied the allegations.

The special court had granted Waze bail in September, observing that the NIA had failed to establish a prima facie case of terrorism against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

It also noted that there was "absolutely nothing on record" to establish that Ambani or his family members had actually been terrorised by the incident.

The trial court had further questioned the NIA's investigation, particularly its failure to record statements of Ambani and his family members.

Challenging the bail order, the NIA approached the Bombay High Court and secured an interim stay before Waze could be released from prison.

In its appeal, the agency termed the special court's September 29, 2026, order "illegal and bad in law", arguing that it had overlooked crucial facts and the stringent bail provisions under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA.

The NIA maintained that the special court had erred in assessing the evidence and the alleged central role played by Waze in the conspiracy.

It also argued that the allegations against him, including murder and involvement in a terror-related offence, warranted continued detention.

With the High Court now allowing the NIA's appeal and cancelling the bail order, Waze will remain behind bars in the Antilia bomb scare and Hiran murder case.

The proceedings in the trial court are expected to continue, while the detailed implications of the High Court's ruling will determine the next course of legal action.

- Ends
With PTI inputs