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Bombay High Court Questions Waze’s Conduct During Bail Challenge
Sachin Waze is a former police officer accused in two serious cases.
The National Investigation Agency wants to overturn a court decision that gave him bail.
At a hearing, judges asked how Waze could pay for expensive cars and stay at a luxury hotel for more than 100 days.
The agency said these details were connected to its accusations against him.
It also argued that he could interfere with witnesses or evidence if released.
Waze had been in custody for more than five years, and the judges asked what harm bail with strict rules would cause.
The agency said it could start the trial soon.
The High Court kept the bail decision on hold until October 14, when the hearing will continue.
The Bombay High Court heard the NIA’s challenge to Sachin Waze’s bail in the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case.
Judges questioned how Waze, then an assistant police inspector, could afford Mercedes and BMW trips and a stay of more than 100 days at the Oberoi hotel.
The NIA said an assistant police inspector earned no more than Rs 90,000 monthly and linked the circumstances to its extortion allegations against Waze.
The NIA opposed bail, alleging Waze might tamper with witnesses or destroy evidence; it said it was ready to begin trial and call about 150 of 300 witnesses.
The court extended its interim stay on Waze’s bail until October 14, 2026, when the hearing is due to continue.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, the National Investigation Agency, and Sachin Waze.
- What
- The court heard the NIA’s challenge to a special court’s decision granting Waze bail.
- Where
- The Bombay High Court in Mumbai.
- When
- The hearing took place on October 8, 2026; it is due to continue on October 14.
- Why
- The NIA is challenging the bail order and argues that Waze may tamper with witnesses or destroy evidence.
NIA’s arguments
Court’s questions
Whether Waze should remain in custody
NIA’s arguments
The NIA opposed bail, arguing that no condition would be strict enough to prevent Waze from tampering with witnesses or destroying evidence.
Court’s questions
The judges asked what prejudice would be caused by releasing him on bail with stringent conditions, noting that he had spent more than five years in custody.
Evidence and the allegations
NIA’s arguments
The NIA alleged Waze was involved in placing an explosives-laden SUV near Antilia and said he had not cooperated with the investigation. It said it did not know the source of the gelatin sticks found in the vehicle.
Court’s questions
The court questioned whether the NIA had established the source of the gelatin sticks and examined whether the circumstances raised about Waze’s conduct were relevant to the extortion allegations.
Key facts
- Cases
- The 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case
- Bail order
- A special court granted Waze bail on September 29; the NIA appealed.
- Vehicles discussed
- Mercedes and BMW cars
- Hotel stay discussed
- More than 100 days at the Oberoi hotel
- Salary cited
- The NIA’s lawyer said an assistant police inspector earned no more than Rs 90,000 a month.
- Custody
- The court noted Waze had spent more than five years in custody.
- Next hearing
- October 14, 2026; the interim stay on bail was extended until then.
Quotes
Bombay High Court bench
The two-judge bench hearing the NIA’s bail challenge.
“This person, being the rank of an API, drove in a Mercedes to his office, which was in the same building as the Commissioner of Police. In fact, he even went to Varsha bungalow in the Mercedes.”
freepressjournal.in
“How has he managed to stay or have a room booked at the Oberoi hotel for 100 days?”
freepressjournal.in
Anil Singh
Additional Solicitor General appearing for the NIA.
“For a person like Waze, no condition would be stringent enough. His conduct is such that he may tamper with witnesses and destroy evidence.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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