Bombay HC questions Waze’s luxury cars, Oberoi stay:NIA says Sachin Waze could influence witnesses even on bail in Antilia case

The Bombay High Court on Thursday questioned how dismissed police officer Sachin Waze, who was serving as an Assistant Police Inspector (API), could afford to travel in Mercedes and BMW cars and stay at Mumbai’s Oberoi Hotel for around 100 days. The court was hearing a petition filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) challenging the special court’s September 29 order granting bail to Waze. A bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale extended the interim stay on the bail order until October 14. Waze will remain lodged at Thane Central Jail for now. Waze is an accused in the 2021 Antilia bomb case and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiren. During Thursday’s hearing, the court said the allegations involving Waze’s lifestyle and financial dealings were connected to the extortion charges against him. Court questions Waze’s luxury cars Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the NIA, was reading statements of witnesses who said Waze travelled in expensive Mercedes and BMW cars while serving as an API. The court questioned how an officer of that rank could afford such vehicles. The bench observed that Waze travelled in a Mercedes to his office, which was in the same building as the police commissioner’s office, and also used a Mercedes to travel to Varsha, the official residence of the Maharashtra Chief Minister. ‘How could he stay at Oberoi for 100 days?’ The court also questioned Waze’s stay at the Oberoi Hotel for more than three months. Justice Girish Kulkarni asked how Waze could stay at the hotel or book a room there for 100 days on an API’s salary. The court also asked how much an officer of that rank earned every month. Anil Singh told the court that an API’s monthly salary was not more than ₹90,000. The bench said these circumstances were relevant to the extortion allegations against Waze. Court asks about gelatin sticks found near Antilia The case relates to the recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence, Antilia, in south Mumbai on February 25, 2021. The SUV belonged to businessman Mansukh Hiren, who was later found dead in a creek in neighbouring Thane on March 5, 2021. Waze is accused in both cases. The court also asked the NIA where the gelatin sticks found in a bag inside the abandoned SUV had been purchased. The bench questioned whether a licence was required to sell or purchase such explosives and asked whether there was any evidence showing where the gelatin sticks were bought. Singh said the prosecution had not been able to determine where the gelatin sticks were purchased and alleged that Waze had not cooperated with the investigation. NIA opposes bail, says Waze could influence witnesses The court asked the NIA what harm could be caused if Waze were granted bail subject to stringent conditions, particularly since he has been in custody for more than five years. Singh argued that no conditions would be sufficient in Waze’s case. He alleged that Waze could influence witnesses and tamper with evidence. The NIA counsel also referred to Waze’s earlier involvement in a fake encounter case and alleged that, despite being a police officer responsible for protecting the public, he became involved in criminal activities. Singh said the agency was ready to begin the trial immediately and that around 150 witnesses would be examined. Waze arrested in March 2021 The NIA arrested Waze on March 13, 2021, in connection with the Antilia bomb case and the murder of Mansukh Hiren. He was later named as an accused in a corruption case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He has already been granted bail in that case. NIA challenges special court’s bail order The special court granted Waze bail on September 29, observing that the NIA had failed to establish a prima facie case of terrorism against him under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court also held that there was no evidence on record to establish that Waze’s alleged acts had caused terror among the Ambani family. The NIA has challenged the order in the Bombay High Court, calling it “illegal and erroneous in the eyes of the law”. The agency has sought cancellation of the bail order and had requested a stay as interim relief. The High Court will continue hearing the NIA’s petition on October 14. The interim stay on Waze’s bail has been extended until then.