The Bombay High Court on Wednesday heard the National Investigation Agency’s challenge to the bail granted to dismissed Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze in the 2021 Antilia explosives case and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiren. The stay on Waze’s bail will remain in force until the next hearing at 3 pm on Thursday.
The hearing lasted around two hours, during which the court heard the NIA’s arguments against the bail order passed by a special NIA court. The special court had granted Waze bail on September 29, subject to a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and a surety for the same amount. The NIA subsequently moved the High Court against that decision.
The special court had also imposed restrictions on Waze’s movement. Until statements of key witnesses are recorded, he was barred from entering Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Thane and Palghar districts. He was directed to surrender his passport and provide details of his proposed residence or location within seven days.
During the High Court hearing, the NIA alleged that Waze had placed the explosives-laden SUV outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s south Mumbai residence, Antilia, to draw attention to himself and project himself as a “super cop” who had solved the case. The agency also alleged that Waze killed Hiren, who had possessed the vehicle, because he was considered a weak link who could expose the alleged conspiracy.
The allegations relate to an SUV found near Antilia on February 25, 2021. The vehicle contained explosive material and a threatening letter. Hiren had claimed that the SUV had been stolen from his possession. His body was found in a creek in Thane on March 5, 2021. Waze was arrested several days later.
Waze’s lawyers have sought relief on the basis of parity with co-accused Pradeep Sharma and Sunil Mane, who had previously received bail. They also told the court that Waze has been in custody since March 13, 2021, while the case involves around 320 witnesses and a chargesheet running to more than 14,000 pages. The defence argued that the trial was unlikely to conclude soon.
The special NIA court had earlier held that the prosecution had failed to establish, at the prima facie stage, a case of terrorism under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. It also said that the gelatin sticks recovered from the vehicle, which did not have detonators, did not prima facie establish a direct terrorist act or a threat to India’s economic security.
According to the report, charges were framed on August 1, 2026, against Waze and nine other accused under the UAPA, murder and other provisions. The framing of charges cleared the way for the trial to proceed. The NIA has alleged that the SUV was placed near Antilia with the intention of creating fear among wealthy people and carrying out extortion.
The Bombay High Court is scheduled to resume hearing the NIA’s appeal at 3 pm on Thursday. Until then, Waze’s bail remains stayed.
