Bomb scare in Antilia: HC rejects bail for suspended police officer Sunil Mane | Mumbai news

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Monday rejected the bail plea of ​​suspended police officer Sunil Mane, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the planting of an explosives-laden SUV outside Antilia, the home of the billionaire industrialist. Murder of Mukesh Ambani and vehicle owner Mansukh Hiren in 2021.

The bench of justice Revati Mohite Dere and justice Prithviraj Chavan said prima facie, there was sufficient material to show Mane’s involvement and complicity in Hiren’s murder. It was also stated that the possibility of Mane, who has good relations with senior police officers, tampering with evidence cannot be ruled out.

The court said the offenses, including those falling under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, were very serious, adding that it would not be fair and appropriate to grant him bail.

According to the NIA, a Mahindra Scorpio was found parked near Antilia in south Mumbai on February 25, 2021, with 20 loose gelatin sticks and a note threatening to kill the Ambanis. Before the police could solve the mystery, Hiren’s body was discovered. The owner of the four-wheeler was found in a stream near Mumbra on March 5.

NIA investigation allegedly revealed that the SUV was planted outside Antilia by the prime accused-suspended police officer Sachin Waze. Waze, in collaboration with Mane and encounter expert Pradeep Sharma, another retired cop, allegedly conspired to kill Hiren after he refused to plead guilty to planting the explosives-laden SUV outside Antilia.

According to NIA, Mane played a vital role in Hiren’s murder. He allegedly called the businessman through his benami phone number and asked to meet him at Ghodbunder Road on the pretext of helping him get transported to a safe place to avoid arrest. When Hiren arrived at the scene, Mane allegedly handed him over to four men hired by Sharma.

The agency said the hitmen then strangled Hiren to death in another vehicle and dumped his body in a creek near Mumbra. Mane also allegedly tried to fabricate evidence by taking Hiren’s mobile phone to a remote location before turning it off.

Mane, who was arrested on April 23, 2021, had approached the high court after his bail request was rejected by a special court for NIA cases. His lawyer argued that there was absolutely no evidence that the sacked senior police inspector was part of any conspiracy and that he had tricked the victim into handing her over to the hitmen. However, the court did not accept the allegations and rejected the bail request.