In a recent development, a division bench of the Bombay High Court recused itself from hearing the bail petition of dismissed police officer Sachin Waze, who is embroiled in a corruption case also implicating former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, Justice Bharati Dangre, part of the division bench alongside Justice Manjusha Deshpande, opted out of the case citing a conflict of interest due to the involvement of Anil Deshmukh, though specifics were not disclosed. “I did not realize then that this matter also involves Anil Deshmukh. I cannot hear pleas related to this,” stated Justice Dangre.
Waze, currently in judicial custody, had sought bail on the grounds of being an approver in the case and on parity since all other accused have been granted bail. His plea argues that keeping him incarcerated, despite his status as an approver, is a violation of his fundamental rights.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has contested Waze’s bail application, asserting that he has not yet testified in the case, and releasing him could adversely affect the ongoing investigation. Waze was designated as an approver by the special CBI court in June 2022.
The case that led to Waze’s arrest in March 2021 involves allegations of an explosives-laden vehicle found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence and the subsequent murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran. These events unfolded amid broader allegations of corruption leveled by former police commissioner Param Bir Singh against Deshmukh, claiming the then Home Minister had instructed police officers to extort money from restaurants and bars in Mumbai.
Following Singh’s accusations, the high court in April 2021 directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry, which ultimately led to the registration of an FIR against Deshmukh, his associates, and Waze. Singh had accused Deshmukh of using Waze, who had been reinstated after a suspension related to an alleged fake encounter case, to collect the extorted funds.
