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Synopsis

Former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze has moved the Bombay High Court seeking immediate release in the Antilia bomb scare case.

A division bench of the High Court, comprising Justice Bharathi Dangre and Justice Manjusha Deshpande, heard the petition filed by Waze today.

Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda, appearing for Waze, submitted that the provisions of the UAPA could not be applied in all cases and that this was merely a case of gelatin recovery

He added that the NIA began its investigation even before the Central Government granted permission.

After perusing the petition, the bench remarked that it resembled a PhD thesis.

After hearing Ponda, the bench issued notice to the NIA and scheduled the matter for hearing on September 23.

Waze was arrested after a Mahindra Scorpio was found parked near Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia Building with 20 gelatin sticks and a note in the said car, threatening Ambani and his wife. 

Subsequently, it was found that the Scorpio vehicle which was found had a fake number plate and an FIR was registered by business Mansukhlal Hiren alleging theft of his vehicle.

The investigation of the case was assigned to Sachin Waze and Hiren was summoned by the police. When Hiren was summoned again, he met an officer after which he went missing. 

Subsequently, a missing complaint was filed against Manusukhlal Hiren and later he was found dead. Hiren’s wife filed a complaint alleging foul play and suspicion against Sachin Waze.

The State Government transferred the case to Anti Terrorist Squad Maharashtra and an FIR was registered against an unknown person in the Mansukh Hiren Murder Case. However, the case was then transferred to National Investigating Agency at the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

During the course of the investigation, it was found that Sachin Waze, along with other co-accused, including Pradeep Sharma, had committed heinous and serious offences attracting the provisions of the UAPA and hence, Sections 16, 18, and 20 of the UAPA, were invoked and were subsequently arrested.