Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday raised questions over the lifestyle and financial resources of former assistant police inspector Sachin Waze, asking how an officer of his rank could afford to drive luxury cars and stay at Mumbai’s Oberoi hotel for more than three months.
A bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale was hearing the National Investigation Agency’s challenge to a September 29 order granting bail to Waze in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case. The High Court had earlier stayed the bail order, and Waze continues to remain in Thane Central Jail.
During Thursday’s hearing, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the NIA, referred to witness statements concerning Waze’s alleged use of high-end vehicles, including Mercedes and BMW cars. The bench questioned how an officer holding the rank of assistant police inspector could afford such vehicles.
The court also noted that Waze had allegedly driven a Mercedes to his office and even to Varsha, the Maharashtra chief minister’s official residence. The judges questioned whether such expenditure could be explained by an officer’s official salary.
The bench then turned its attention to Waze’s reported stay at Mumbai’s Oberoi hotel. The judges questioned how he could have a room booked there for around 100 days and asked whether such an arrangement was financially possible on an API’s salary. The NIA informed the court that an officer of that rank earns no more than around ₹90,000 per month.
According to the prosecution, these circumstances form part of the broader allegations of extortion and financial wrongdoing against Waze. The NIA has argued that his conduct and alleged access to resources are relevant to the case against him.
The court also questioned the agency about the gelatin sticks that were found inside the SUV parked near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence in February 2021. The judges asked whether investigators had established where the explosive material had been purchased and whether there was evidence regarding its procurement.
The NIA maintained that Waze had not cooperated with the investigation and opposed his release on bail. The agency argued that strict bail conditions would not be sufficient to prevent the possibility of witness tampering or destruction of evidence. It also said it was ready to commence the trial and expected to examine around 150 witnesses.
Waze was arrested in March 2021 after an SUV containing gelatin sticks was found near Antilia on February 25 that year. Businessman Mansukh Hiran, who had been in possession of the vehicle, was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5.
A special court granted Waze bail on September 29, observing that the NIA had not established a prima facie terrorist act under the UAPA. The agency challenged that decision in the High Court.
The Bombay High Court is scheduled to continue hearing the matter on October 14, with the stay on Waze’s bail continuing until then.
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