A special court in Mumbai has approved bail for former police officer Sachin Waze, who was detained in connection with the Antilia bomb scare incident. The court highlighted that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) did not adequately demonstrate that the Ambani family experienced any form of intimidation. Furthermore, the judge noted that Waze had already served a minimum sentence of five years, and the evidence presented was inadequate to deny his bail application.

The court emphasized that Waze’s actions do not meet the criteria for a terrorist act as defined in Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Special Judge Chakor S Baviskar remarked, “There is absolutely nothing on record even to infer by any stretch of imagination that the Ambanis or any one of them were ever terrorised in any manner,” suggesting that the circumstances appear to present a different narrative.

The court further stated that the Ambani family’s daily operations had not been disrupted at any point, reinforcing the assertion that the alleged threat did not hold significant weight. The special court, established under the NIA Act, acknowledged that Waze had made a compelling case for bail, given his prolonged incarceration and the anticipated delays in the trial’s conclusion. The court expressed that denying bail would severely impact Waze’s personal liberty.

The court also questioned the investigative agency’s delay in gathering testimony from the alleged terror targets, noting that several years had passed since the SUV laden with explosives was parked outside Antilia. It pointed out the considerable distance between the Shikharkunj building, where the vehicle was parked, and Antilia, highlighting that multiple buildings lie in between, thereby diminishing the threat level to the alleged target.

Since his arrest in 2021, Waze has faced various charges, including murder and criminal conspiracy, along with violations under the IPC, UAPA, and the Arms Act. The NIA has claimed that Waze was responsible for parking the SUV and was implicated in a plan to murder the vehicle’s owner, Mansukh Hiran. However, the agency also stated that Hiran’s murder does not currently seem to be directly linked to any terrorist activity and is separate from UAPA violations, suggesting that the stringent bail conditions of the Act should not be applicable in this case.

Omkar Gokhale, a journalist for The Indian Express in Mumbai, is recognized for his expertise in legal reporting, particularly concerning developments within the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court related to Maharashtra’s significant institutions.

Gokhale’s work is deeply rooted in legal affairs, covering a range of topics that include:

• Real-time reporting on critical decisions from the Bombay High Court, including significant bail orders and legal disputes.
• Issues related to fundamental rights and environmental concerns affecting citizens.
• Insights into constitutional matters and Supreme Court rulings that have an impact on Maharashtra.
• Oversight of governance and public institutions, particularly in relation to judicial accountability.

His focused and consistent reporting on legal matters establishes Omkar Gokhale as a credible voice for legal developments emerging from Mumbai, with implications for the broader state of Maharashtra.