A special NIA court in Mumbai has denied former officer Sachin Waze's plea for discharge in the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case, citing sufficient evidence.

Key Takeaways

  • Special NIA Court in Mumbai rejected Sachin Waze's discharge application.
  • The court ruled there is "more than sufficient material" to frame charges against him.
  • The case involves the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran.
  • The judge criticized the 157-page plea for lacking legal merit despite its length.

In a significant legal development, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai has refused to discharge dismissed police officer Sachin Waze in connection with the high-profile 2021 Antilia bomb scare and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran. The court observed that the record contains "more than sufficient material" to proceed with framing charges against the accused.

Judicial Scrutiny and Sharp Remarks

Special Judge Chakor S. Baviskar did not mince words while reviewing Waze's extensive 157-page discharge application. The judge noted that while the application was voluminous, it lacked substantive merit. In a scathing observation, the court remarked that the plea included everything from personal perceptions and selected philosophies to irrelevant rhetorics, stating that had it been any longer, it might have "defeated the Britannica Encyclopedia." The court emphasized that at the stage of framing charges, it is not required to conduct a deep-dive inquiry into the truthfulness of the evidence, but merely to determine if a prima facie case exists.

The Core of the Controversy

The investigation traces back to February 25, 2021, when an explosives-laden Mahindra Scorpio was discovered parked near Mukesh Ambani's residence, Antilia, in South Mumbai. The vehicle contained 20 gelatin sticks and a threatening note. Shortly after, businessman Mansukh Hiran, who was in possession of the vehicle, went missing. His body was later recovered from a creek in Thane, leading to a murder investigation.

Conspiracy and Allegations

The prosecution alleges a deep-rooted conspiracy involving extortion and terrorism. It is claimed that Waze conspired to terrorize wealthy individuals to meet alleged monthly collection targets set by high-ranking political figures. Furthermore, the prosecution posits that Hiran became a "weak link" in the conspiracy after refusing to take responsibility for the vehicle, leading to his orchestrated elimination. With the discharge plea rejected, the legal proceedings are set to move into the trial phase, where the veracity of these claims will be tested in detail.