Antilia Bomb Scare: NIA seeks charges against Ex-cop Sachin Waze

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has strongly opposed the discharge plea filed by former Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze in connection with the high-profile Antilia bomb scare case and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiren , asserting that he was “directly involved” in the crimes.

In a detailed 145-page reply submitted before the court, the agency argued that the allegations against Waze and his co-accused are grave and form part of a larger criminal conspiracy . The NIA maintained that the offences attributed to them include conspiracy to commit a terrorist act , execution of such an act, membership in a terrorist gang, as well as charges of abduction, murder, and destruction of evidence .

Rejecting all claims made in Waze’s plea, the agency stated that his arguments lack legal merit and fail to provide valid grounds for discharge. It emphasized that there exists a prima facie case against the former officer and urged the court to dismiss the application with costs while proceeding to frame charges against all accused.

Waze, currently in judicial custody since his arrest in March 2021, has argued that the proceedings are legally flawed, citing lack of jurisdiction and improper invocation of provisions under the anti-terror law. His plea also questions the validity of sanctions granted for prosecution.

The case stems from the discovery of an explosives-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence, Antilia, in Mumbai on February 25, 2021 . Days later, Hiren, who was linked to the vehicle, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in a creek in Thane, intensifying the probe and leading to the NIA’s takeover of the investigation.

The court is expected to decide on the discharge plea after considering the submissions made by both sides.