Antilia Bomb Case: HC Bench Recuses From Hearing NIA Appeal on Waze's Bail
Cop Waze was arrested by the NIA on March 13, 2021. He was subsequently made an accused in a corruption case being probed by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate
Mumbai: A division bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday recused itself from hearing an appeal filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) challenging a special court order granting bail to dismissed cop Sachin Waze in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare case.
A bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Ashish Chavan said they both have difficulties hearing the appeal and hence said the matter shall be placed before another bench.
"Earlier, in another petition filed by this person (Waze), I had recused since there was some connection then. Hence, it would not be correct for me to hear this appeal," Justice Dangre said.
Justice Chavan also recused and said he cannot hear the matter.
The court asked if Waze had walked out of jail, to which Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh replied in the negative.
On Tuesday, soon after the special NIA court granted bail to Waze, the agency moved the HC and mentioned the appeal before a bench headed by Justice Sarang Kotwal.
The bench, however, recused itself, following which the appeal was placed before the bench headed by Justice Dangre on Wednesday.
Singh, appearing for the NIA, said the agency would now have to approach the HC's Chief Justice, who would then assign the appeal for hearing to another division bench.
On February 25, 2021, an SUV with explosives inside was found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence 'Antilia' in south Mumbai.
Businessman Mansukh Hiran, who was in possession of the SUV before it was allegedly stolen, was found dead in a creek in neighbouring Thane on March 5, 2021.
Waze was arrested by the NIA on March 13, 2021. He was subsequently made an accused in a corruption case being probed by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate.
Waze has already got bail in the corruption case.