The Bombay High Court has granted bail to dismissed police officer Sachin Waze in a high-profile corruption case linked to former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. The decision, made by a division bench led by Justice M S Sonak, leaves the specific conditions of Waze’s release to be determined by the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court.
Despite this legal relief, Waze will remain incarcerated due to his involvement in the separate ‘Antilia’ bomb scare case, where he is under the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Waze had been implicated in 2021 after an explosives-laden vehicle was discovered near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence, and in connection with the murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran.
Waze sought bail in the corruption case citing his role as an approver and on the basis of parity, noting that other accused had already been granted bail. His counsel, Aabad Ponda, argued that Waze’s continued detention, even after being declared an approver, infringes on his fundamental rights. However, the CBI resisted the bail plea, maintaining that Waze had yet to testify and that his release could hinder the ongoing investigation.
The corruption allegations surfaced after the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI inquiry in April 2021 following accusations by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh against Anil Deshmukh. Singh accused Deshmukh of using his official position to instruct police officers, including Waze, to extort money from bars and restaurants in Mumbai, allegedly aiming to collect ₹100 crore monthly.
The CBI’s inquiry subsequently led to an FIR against Deshmukh, his aides, and Waze. With other co-accused like Deshmukh’s former aides, Sanjeev Palande and Kundan Shinde, already out on bail, Waze’s legal team argued for his release on similar grounds.
