Tag: Antilia bomb scare

  • Antilia case-Hiran murder: Court rejects former cop’s plea; says his involvement prima facie ‘clearly seen’

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: A special NIA court here has rejected the discharge plea of former police officer Sunil Mane in the Antilia bomb scare case and the subsequent murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran, saying that prima-facie his involvement is clearly seen in the case.

    Special court judge A M Patil rejected Mane’s discharge application on Thursday. The detailed order was made available on Friday.

    Mane was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in April 2021 for his alleged role in the case.

    However, in his discharge plea filed before the court, the accused claimed that he was nowhere connected to the theft of Mansukh Hiran’s vehicle on February 25, 2021 or placing of explosives near businessman Mukesh Ambani’s residence.

    He further contended that former police officers Sachin Waze, prime accused in the case, and Pradeep Sharma, had hatched a conspiracy to kill Hiran with other accused and till this stage, this applicant (Mane) was not in the picture.

    As per the charge-sheet, it is clear that the applicant has not committed any offence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and therefore, he is entitled for discharge of the offence under the provisions of anti-terror act and for default bail in the offence of Indian Penal Code (IPC), Mane’s plea said.

    On the other hand, the NIA submitted that Waze had induced Hiran to place an explosive-laden SUV on Carmichael Road (near Ambani’s residence) and tried to convince him to accept the responsibility for placing the same.

    When Hiran refused to accept, Waze hatched a conspiracy to kill him through accused Pradeep Sharma and Mane with the help of hired killers, the probe agency claimed.

    It further contended that this applicant entered into a “well-organised conspiracy” headed by Waze for the murder of Hiran, which was a direct outcome of terrorist act committed by Waze and others.

    The court, upon perusal of statements of witnesses, said, “It is clear that prima-facie involvement of this applicant is seen in this case.”

     It is also seen that prosecution has material to prove conspiracy between the accused and its culmination in the murder of Hiran by Waze, along with the co-accused including the applicant, the court held.

    Apart from the statements of witnesses, the prosecution has incriminating evidence, such as call detail records of mobile phone used by the accused (Mane), the court added.

    It is also seen from the charge-sheet that Hiran was killed by the accused because of the crime dated February 25, 2021.

    It is the basic story of prosecution that the act of parking the explosives-laden vehicle of Hiran and thereafter his murder was a well-planned act involving high-end criminal conspiracy, which was executed by the accused with an intent to strike terror, the court said.

    The judge said that it is seen from the prosecution story that the said act of the accused is “nothing but a terrorist act”.

    Lastly, the court ruled that the act of Mane cannot be segregated at this juncture.

    “Without leading evidence, it cannot be concluded that applicant number 5 (Mane) had no knowledge about the act of other accused in respect of the incident dated 25, 2021,” the court noted.

    The NIA, probing the case, has arrested 10 people, including Waze, Sharma and Mane, in connection with the February 25, 2021 incident when an explosives laden vehicle was found parked near ‘Antilia’, Ambani’s residence.

    Hiran was found dead a few days later in neighbouring Thane.

    MUMBAI: A special NIA court here has rejected the discharge plea of former police officer Sunil Mane in the Antilia bomb scare case and the subsequent murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran, saying that prima-facie his involvement is clearly seen in the case.

    Special court judge A M Patil rejected Mane’s discharge application on Thursday. The detailed order was made available on Friday.

    Mane was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in April 2021 for his alleged role in the case.

    However, in his discharge plea filed before the court, the accused claimed that he was nowhere connected to the theft of Mansukh Hiran’s vehicle on February 25, 2021 or placing of explosives near businessman Mukesh Ambani’s residence.

    He further contended that former police officers Sachin Waze, prime accused in the case, and Pradeep Sharma, had hatched a conspiracy to kill Hiran with other accused and till this stage, this applicant (Mane) was not in the picture.

    As per the charge-sheet, it is clear that the applicant has not committed any offence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and therefore, he is entitled for discharge of the offence under the provisions of anti-terror act and for default bail in the offence of Indian Penal Code (IPC), Mane’s plea said.

    On the other hand, the NIA submitted that Waze had induced Hiran to place an explosive-laden SUV on Carmichael Road (near Ambani’s residence) and tried to convince him to accept the responsibility for placing the same.

    When Hiran refused to accept, Waze hatched a conspiracy to kill him through accused Pradeep Sharma and Mane with the help of hired killers, the probe agency claimed.

    It further contended that this applicant entered into a “well-organised conspiracy” headed by Waze for the murder of Hiran, which was a direct outcome of terrorist act committed by Waze and others.

    The court, upon perusal of statements of witnesses, said, “It is clear that prima-facie involvement of this applicant is seen in this case.”

     It is also seen that prosecution has material to prove conspiracy between the accused and its culmination in the murder of Hiran by Waze, along with the co-accused including the applicant, the court held.

    Apart from the statements of witnesses, the prosecution has incriminating evidence, such as call detail records of mobile phone used by the accused (Mane), the court added.

    It is also seen from the charge-sheet that Hiran was killed by the accused because of the crime dated February 25, 2021.

    It is the basic story of prosecution that the act of parking the explosives-laden vehicle of Hiran and thereafter his murder was a well-planned act involving high-end criminal conspiracy, which was executed by the accused with an intent to strike terror, the court said.

    The judge said that it is seen from the prosecution story that the said act of the accused is “nothing but a terrorist act”.

    Lastly, the court ruled that the act of Mane cannot be segregated at this juncture.

    “Without leading evidence, it cannot be concluded that applicant number 5 (Mane) had no knowledge about the act of other accused in respect of the incident dated 25, 2021,” the court noted.

    The NIA, probing the case, has arrested 10 people, including Waze, Sharma and Mane, in connection with the February 25, 2021 incident when an explosives laden vehicle was found parked near ‘Antilia’, Ambani’s residence.

    Hiran was found dead a few days later in neighbouring Thane.

  • Antilia bomb scare case: Delhi HC dismisses plea by ex-Mumbai Police officer 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a plea by former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze seeking to quash the sanction granted to prosecute him under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case.

    “The petition is dismissed for lack of territorial jurisdiction,” said a bench of Justices Mukta Gupta and Anish Dayal.

    The Centre had earlier opposed the petition by Waze on grounds that it was not maintainable before the Delhi High Court and it should have been filed before the Bombay High Court as everything related to the case happened in Mumbai.

    Waze had claimed that the Delhi High Court has territorial jurisdiction over the issue as the sanction order was passed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which is located in the national capital.

    The plea, filed through advocate Chaitanya Sharma, sought to strike down section 15(1) of the UAPA, relating to a terrorist act, claiming that it is ultra vires of Article 14 (equality before law) and 21 (protection of life and personal liberty) of the constitution.

    It also sought to quash and set aside the sanction order of September 2, 2021 passed by the Centre and grant consequential relief.

    The MHA had given the sanction for prosecution of Waze in September last year in the case of an SUV with explosives being found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house in Mumbai and the murder of businessman Hiren Mansukh.

    According to a release of NIA, the charge sheet was filed under various provisions of the IPC, including murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances and under the provisions of the UAPA, Explosive Substances Act and Arms Act.

    The SUV was found near Antilia on February 25, 2021.

    Mansukh, who had claimed that the vehicle had been stolen from his possession, was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5 last year.

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a plea by former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze seeking to quash the sanction granted to prosecute him under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case.

    “The petition is dismissed for lack of territorial jurisdiction,” said a bench of Justices Mukta Gupta and Anish Dayal.

    The Centre had earlier opposed the petition by Waze on grounds that it was not maintainable before the Delhi High Court and it should have been filed before the Bombay High Court as everything related to the case happened in Mumbai.

    Waze had claimed that the Delhi High Court has territorial jurisdiction over the issue as the sanction order was passed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which is located in the national capital.

    The plea, filed through advocate Chaitanya Sharma, sought to strike down section 15(1) of the UAPA, relating to a terrorist act, claiming that it is ultra vires of Article 14 (equality before law) and 21 (protection of life and personal liberty) of the constitution.

    It also sought to quash and set aside the sanction order of September 2, 2021 passed by the Centre and grant consequential relief.

    The MHA had given the sanction for prosecution of Waze in September last year in the case of an SUV with explosives being found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house in Mumbai and the murder of businessman Hiren Mansukh.

    According to a release of NIA, the charge sheet was filed under various provisions of the IPC, including murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances and under the provisions of the UAPA, Explosive Substances Act and Arms Act.

    The SUV was found near Antilia on February 25, 2021.

    Mansukh, who had claimed that the vehicle had been stolen from his possession, was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5 last year.

  • Antilia bomb scare case: Accused bookie seeks bail, says not connected to incident

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Cricket bookie Naresh Gaur, an accused in the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case, on Friday moved a bail plea before a special NIA court saying he has no connection with the crime and has been booked merely on the basis of “surmises and conjectures”.

    Gaur, an alleged cricket bookie, was arrested in March by Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, which was investigating the case before it was taken over by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

    As per the probe agency, his role is allegedly procuring SIM cards for prime accused Sachin Waze.

    Gaur, in his bail application, claimed there is no shred of evidence to show he was part of any conspiracy, adding he had no knowledge of why the SIMs were procured by Waze.

    He claimed he had been made a scapegoat by the agency on the behest of Waze.

    His plea will be heard on October 13.

    Meanwhile, former police official Pradeep Sharma, also arrested in the case and in jail presently, has moved pleas seeking transfer from Taloja jail to Thane prison and home food.

    Sharma’s application has been kept for hearing on October 6.

    An explosives-laden vehicle was found near Antilia, the south Mumbai home of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, on February 25 this year, and businessman Mansukh Hiran, who claimed the vehicle was stolen from him was found dead in Thane on March 5.

  • Antilia bomb scare: Sachin Waze wanted to regain glory as ‘supercop’, says chargesheet

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Dismissed police officer Sachin Waze placed an SUV with explosives near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house here to regain his reputation as a “supercop”, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has said in its chargesheet.

    Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran was subsequently killed as Waze thought him to be the “weak link” in the conspiracy, the NIA said, alleging that Pradeep Sharma, a former police officer, was roped in to execute the murder.

    The Central agency last week filed the charge sheet before a special court here against Waze and nine others in connection with the recovery of a vehicle with gelatin sticks near Ambani’s south Mumbai residence ‘Antilia’ on February 25 and the subsequent murder of Hiran.

    Waze, who was assistant police inspector with the Mumbai crime branch before his arrest, joined hands with others to place the SUV and a threat letter near Ambani’s residence, it said.

    “The intent was clearly to terrorize wealthy and prosperous people. Also to extort money by putting into (them) fear of dire consequences,” said the charge sheet.

    A fake post on social media platform Telegram, purportedly in the name of “Jaish Ul Hind”, was a “deliberate attempt” by Waze to add credibility to “terror act”, it said.

    “The wording on the threat note ‘agle baar connect hokar aega’ (next time the bomb will have wires connected) clearly depicts intention of Waze for furtherance (of) acts to re-establish himself as a supercop by staging a fake encounter as to regain his lost glory,” the charge-sheet said.

    Waze, who himself handled the case initially, manipulated the probe to cover up the conspiracy, it said.

    Hiran, who had claimed that the SUV had been stolen from his possession, was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5.

    The NIA claimed that Waze played a pivotal role in his murder.

    It was he who directed Hiran to lodge an FIR about vehicle theft when Waze himself had used the SUV for the commission of the crime (to park it near Antilia), it alleged.

    Waze tried to persuade Hiran to take responsibility for the act, but the latter refused, the NIA alleged.

    He then hatched the conspiracy to kill Hiran through Sharma and another former police officer Sunil Mane with the help of hired killers, the charge sheet said.

    Also, Waze thought of Hiran as a “weak link” in the conspiracy who could expose others so he decided to kill the Thane businessman, the agency alleged.

    After Hiran’s death, Waze tried to make it look like a case of suicide by spreading such reports through his media contacts, the NIA said.

    Sharma, a retired police officer, “willingly and intentionally” entered into the conspiracy for the execution of Hiran’s murder, the charge sheet alleged.

    Other arrested accused in the case are Vinayak Shinde, Naresh Gor, Riyazuddin Kazi, Sunil Mane, Anand Jadhav, Satish Mothkuri, Manish Soni and Santosh Shelar.

    Shinde, Kazi and Mane are former police officers.

    All the accused are booked for murder, conspiracy and kidnapping under the IPC as well as provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act and Arms Act.

  • NIA files charge sheet against Waze, others in Antilia bomb scare-Hiran murder case

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a charge sheet against dismissed police officer Sachin Waze and other accused in Antilia bomb scare-Mansukh Hiran murder case.

    The central probe agency filed the charge sheet before a court here.

    Besides Waze, former ‘encounter specialist’ Pradeep Sharma and a few other former police personnel are also accused in the case.

    The agency filed the charge sheet two days before the end of the 30-day extension granted to it by the court last month to complete the process, a defence lawyer said.

    The case relates to recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near the south Mumbai residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani on February 25 this year.

    Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran, who had claimed that he was in possession of the SUV, was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5.

  • Antilia bomb scare: Ex-cop Waze admitted to private hospital in Bhiwandi after court nod

    By PTI

    THANE: Dismissed Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze, arrested in the Antilia bomb scare-Mansukh Hiran murder case, was on Tuesday admitted to a private hospital here for treatment of his heart ailment, a senior officer said, a day after a special court gave its nod for the same.

    Waze (49) was shifted to SS Hospital and Research Centre in Bhiwandi town of Thane district from the Taloja central jail in Navi Mumbai where he has been lodged under judicial custody.

    A senior police officer from Bhiwandi confirmed that the former Assistant Police Inspector has been admitted to the private hospital.

    On Monday, special judge Prashant R Sitre refused to grant the National Investigation Agency (NIA) the custody of Waze for questioning in the case and allowed his plea to get admitted to a private hospital for treatment of his heart ailment.

    The cost of treatment is to be borne by Waze and his family, the court had said.

    Waze, through his lawyer, senior advocate Sudeep Pasbola, had earlier told the court that three of his arteries had “90 per cent blockage” and that doctors had advised immediate surgery for the same.

    He had urged the court to permit him to seek private medical treatment, saying he did not wish to “die in custody like (tribal rights activist and Jesuit priest) Stan Swamy”.

    The NIA had sought further custody of Waze and a co-accused, saying it required to question them to corroborate statements of witnesses.

    Advocate Pasbola, however, objected to the same and said doctors at government-run JJ Hospital, where Waze had been earlier this month, had advised him to undergo a bypass surgery without any delay.

    Pasbola produced three medical reports to show Waze’s need for immediate medical aid.

    He said nothing was more important than a person’s life and added the investigation will be futile if the person does not survive.

    The judge, while allowing Waze to get admitted to a private hospital, directed the Taloja prison superintendent to submit his medical report before the court every 15 days.

    An explosives-laden vehicle was found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s south Mumbai residence ‘Antilia’ on February 25.

    The vehicle owner Hiran, a Thane businessman who had claimed his car was stolen, was found dead in a creek on March 5.

    The NIA claimed Waze was involved in the planting of the explosives and Hiran’s murder, and arrested him on March 13.

    He was later dismissed from police service.

  • NIA seeks 30 days to file chargesheet in Antilia Bomb scare, Mansukh Hiren murder cases

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday sought 30 more days to file a chargesheet in the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder cases.

    NIA told the special court that the accused were paid Rs 45 lakhs to eliminate Mansukh Hiren after the Antilia bomb scare.

    Earlier in June, a special NIA court remanded Shivsena leader and former Mumbai Police “encounter specialist” Pradeep Sharma to judicial custody till July 12, in connection with the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case.

    NIA had arrested two more persons in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case.

    In May, NIA had arrested Inspector of the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, Sunil Mane for his involvement in the case

    Sachin Waze, the prime accused of placing an explosives-laden vehicle near Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s house Antilia in Mumbai on February 25, has been arrested by the NIA earlier.

    Waze was also accused of the murder of Mansukh Hiren, the owner of the vehicle that was found containing explosives materials outside Antilia.

    According to the Mumbai police, A car with a ‘threat letter’ along with unassembled explosive materials was found abandoned at Carmichael Road in South Mumbai, near the house of industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence on Thursday, said a source in Mumbai Police on February 25.

    Mansukh Hiren, the owner of the car, was found dead in a creek in the Thane district in March. 

  • Antilia bomb scare case: Rs 45 lakh paid for Mansukh Hiran killing, NIA tells court

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday told a special court here that Rs 45 lakh was paid by an accused for the murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran.

    The central probe agency said this while seeking a 30-day extension to file a charge sheet in the Antilia bomb scare-Mansukh Hiran murder case.

    An explosives-laden SUV was found near the south Mumbai home of industrialist Mukesh Ambani on February 25 and Hiran, who had claimed that he was earlier in possession of the vehicle, was found dead in a creek on March 5.

    The special court had, on June 9, granted an extension of two months to the NIA to file a charge sheet.

    On Tuesday, the NIA told court its probe had revealed that Rs 45 lakh was paid by an accused for the killing of Hiran and there was need to find out who had funded this accused.

    It also told court the statements of 150 witnesses had been recorded while a team in Delhi was also recording statements as part of the probe.

    Among those who have been arrested in the case are former police officials Pradeep Sharma and Sachin Waze.

    The court will also hear arguments on the default bail plea of Waze, who has claimed that the NIA had not filed a charge sheet within the stipulated time.

  • Antilia bomb scare-Hiran murder case: Sachin Waze seeks default bail

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Dismissed policeman Sachin Waze, an accused in the Antilia bomb scare-Mansukh Hiran murder case, has moved a default bail plea in a special court here citing failure on the part of the National Investigation Agency to file a charge sheet within the stipulated time.

    Waze, who was arrested in March, had recently moved an application seeking bail claiming the NIA had failed to submit a charge sheet within 60 days.

    The special court had, on June 9, granted two more months to NIA to file a charge sheet.

    Waze has questioned the extension granted to the NIA and the court has kept the matter for hearing on July 22.

    An explosives-laden SUV was found near the south Mumbai home of industrialist Mukesh Ambani on February 25 and Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran, who had claimed that he was in possession of the vehicle, was found dead in a creek on March 5.

  • ‘Antilia’ bomb scare: Accused Manish Soni seeks bail, claims judicial custody ‘illegal’

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Manish Soni, arrested in connection with the recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence and the subsequent murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran, has moved a bail plea before a special NIA court here while saying his judicial custody is “illegal”, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

    Soni was arrested on June 17 along with Satish Mothkuri and former “encounter specialist” Pradeep Sharma in connection with the case.

    The National Investigation Agency (NIA) told the special court on Monday that Soni was “inadvertently” remanded in judicial custody by a magistrate court, where he had gone for recording a confessional statement.

    Soni’s lawyer Rahul Arote said the remand was “illegal” as the accused was sent in jail custody without being produced before the special court. “The application has been filed on the ground that he is illegally remanded by (magistrate) court. Therefore, prayed for bail,” Arote said.

    The NIA had earlier told the court that Soni and Mothkuri allegedly killed Hiran and dumped the body with the help of other accused. The murder was part of a larger conspiracy and committed at the behest of former policemen Sachin Waze and Pradeep Sharma, it had said.

    Besides Waze and Sharma, policemen Riyazuddin Kazi and Sunil Mane had also been arrested in connection with the bomb scare case and later dismissed from police service. The NIA had also arrested former police constable Vinayak Shinde and cricket bookie Naresh Gor in the case.

    All of them are currently in judicial custody. The explosives-laden SUV was found abandoned near Ambani’s residence ‘Antilia’ in south Mumbai on February 25 this year. Businessman Mansukh Hiran, who had claimed that he was in possession of the vehicle, was found dead at a Mumbra creek in Thane district on March 5.