Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Court Grants Sachin Waze Bail in Antilia Bomb Scare Case
A court allowed former police officer Sachin Waze to leave prison on bail.
He is accused of helping place a car with gelatin sticks and a threat note near Antilia.
Antilia is the home of the Ambani family.
The court said there was no evidence that the family was actually terrorised.
It also said the materials found did not clearly show a terrorist act under the law.
The court said the murder of Mansukh Hiran was serious but was not shown to be a terrorist act.
Waze had spent at least five years in custody, and the trial could take longer.
He must stay away from several districts and keep an active phone so authorities can monitor him.
A special NIA court in Mumbai granted dismissed police officer Sachin Waze bail with restrictions.
The court said the car containing gelatin sticks near Antilia did not prima facie constitute a terrorist act.
It found no evidence that the Ambani family had been terrorised and said the material was insufficient to deny bail.
The court also ruled that the murder of trader Mansukh Hiran could not be treated as the outcome of a terrorist act.
The NIA’s request to stay the bail order was rejected, while Waze was barred from entering several Mumbai-region districts.
- Who
- Dismissed police officer Sachin Waze, the National Investigation Agency, the Ambani family, and trader Mansukh Hiran.
- What
- A special court granted Waze bail with restrictions in the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran case.
- When
- September 29, 2026.
- Where
- Mumbai, India, with bail restrictions covering Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Thane, and Palghar.
- Why
- The court found no evidence that the Ambanis were terrorised and said the material did not prima facie establish a terrorist act under the UAPA.
Defence and Court’s Bail Reasoning
NIA and Prosecution Concerns
Whether the incident was a terrorist act
Defence and Court’s Bail Reasoning
Waze’s lawyers argued that the UAPA charges did not apply, noting that the gelatin sticks lacked a detonator or means of self-combustion. The court said the alleged conduct fell short, prima facie, of the definition of a terrorist act.
NIA and Prosecution Concerns
The prosecution argued that the car was planted to create terror in people’s minds and sought to proceed on the basis of the UAPA allegations.
Risk of flight and witness interference
Defence and Court’s Bail Reasoning
The court said Waze had deep roots in society and found no evidence supporting the fear that he would flee.
NIA and Prosecution Concerns
The NIA raised concerns that Waze could abscond or threaten witnesses and Hiran’s family if released.
Status of the Hiran murder
Defence and Court’s Bail Reasoning
The court said Hiran’s murder could not be treated as the outcome of a terrorist act in this case.
NIA and Prosecution Concerns
The prosecution’s case links the murder investigation with the Antilia incident, while maintaining that the alleged offences should be tried under the applicable charges.
- Court
- Special NIA court in Mumbai
- Accused
- Sachin Waze, a dismissed police officer
- Case
- Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran case
- Key evidence
- A Scorpio SUV containing 20 gelatin sticks and a threat note was found near Antilia on February 25, 2021
- Arrest date
- March 13, 2021
- Relevant law
- Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
- Judge
- Special Judge Chakor S. Baviskar
- Bail restrictions
- Waze cannot reside in or enter Brihan Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Thane, or Palghar
