Antilia Bomb Scare: NIA Court Grants Bail to Former Mumbai Cop Sachin Waze

A special NIA court on Tuesday granted bail to former Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case, observing that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case of terrorism under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court directed Waze's release on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh with one surety, according to a report.

Court Questions Terrorism Charge

Special Sessions Judge Chakor S Baviskar said there was no material on record to establish that the Ambani family had been "terrorised" by the incident. Antilia Bomb Scare: Charges Framed Against Sachin Waze, Pradeep Sharma and 8 Others.

The court also noted that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had not recorded statements from members of the Ambani family to establish that they were terrorised. It observed that their day-to-day business did not appear to have been disrupted following the incident.

The court further considered the nature of the material found in the SUV. According to the ruling, the gelatin sticks recovered from the vehicle did not have detonators, making them incapable of causing an explosion. The court said this raised questions over whether the incident met the requirements of a "terrorist act" under Section 15 of the UAPA. Antilia Bomb Scare Case: Supreme Court Extends by Four Weeks Interim Bail Granted to Ex-Mumbai Police Officer Pradeep Sharma.

Hiran Murder Treated as Separate Offence

The court also examined the death of businessman Mansukh Hiran, whose body was found in a Thane creek on March 5, 2021.

While describing Hiran's death as homicidal, the court said the murder was not the direct outcome of a terrorist act. It therefore treated the alleged murder as an independent offence under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, rather than one attracting the stringent UAPA restrictions on bail.

Antilia Case Background

On February 25, 2021, an SUV containing explosives was found parked near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence, Antilia, in south Mumbai. Hiran, who had been in possession of the vehicle, was found dead in a creek in neighbouring Thane about a week later.

The NIA subsequently investigated the bomb scare and Hiran's death as part of the same alleged conspiracy. Waze was arrested in March 2021 and has remained in custody in connection with the case.

In July this year, a special NIA court had rejected Waze's discharge plea, saying there was sufficient material on record to frame charges. The court at that stage held that questions concerning the reliability and sufficiency of the prosecution evidence would have to be examined during the trial.

NIA's Case Against Waze

The NIA had alleged that Waze and others were involved in a criminal conspiracy connected with the placement of the explosives-laden SUV and Hiran's subsequent murder. The agency had also invoked provisions of the UAPA, alleging a terrorism-related conspiracy.

The latest bail order, however, specifically addresses whether the material presently on record establishes a prima facie terrorism case under the UAPA. The court's observations on bail do not amount to a final determination of guilt or innocence on the underlying allegations. Waze's release is subject to the conditions imposed by the special NIA court. The wider criminal proceedings in the Antilia and Hiran cases continue.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 29, 2026 04:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).