Antilia Terror Scare Case: Bombay High Court Seeks NIA’s Response To Habeas Corpus Petition of Sachin Waze Challenging Detention Under UAPA
(Judicial Quest News Network)
Mumbai, 20, August, 2024
On Monday, the Bombay High Court directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to submit an affidavit in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by Sachin Waze, a dismissed police officer who is a key suspect in the Antilia bomb scare case and the death of businessman Mansukh Hiran. Waze contends that he has been wrongfully detained by the NIA.
Senior Advocate Abad Ponda, representing Waze, argued before the division bench of Justice Dangre and Justice Manish Deshpande that the NIA invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at a later stage of the investigation, which had already begun earlier. Ponda described this action as unnecessary and improper.
Ponda further asserted that Waze was erroneously charged under the UAPA for allegedly placing gelatine sticks and a threatening letter in an SUV near Antilia, the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, on February 25, 2021.
During the proceedings, the bench inquired about the nature of the petition, with one judge humorously comparing it to a PhD thesis. Ponda responded that Sachin Waze had drafted the petition while being held at Taloja Central Prison, dedicating 15 to 16 hours daily to researching and filing legal petitions.
The bench deemed it appropriate to receive the NIA’s response due to the multiple reliefs sought in the petition, with the primary relief being Waze’s production before the court. The court granted the NIA time to file its affidavit and allowed for Waze’s rejoinder if necessary. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on August 23.
On August 14, the bench concluded a separate hearing concerning Waze’s bail application. Waze has been incarcerated for over two years in connection with a corruption case involving former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and others. The court is expected to issue an interim relief order on this matter on August 23.
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