A special NIA court in Mumbai on Thursday dismissed former police officer Sachin Waze’s plea seeking to drop proceedings against him in the case related to the explosives-laden car found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence and the subsequent conspiracy to murder businessman Mansukh Hiren.
Waze had filed an application urging the court to halt proceedings on several grounds. He argued that the court lacked jurisdiction, the cognizance taken was time-barred, there were discrepancies in the investigation, and the prosecution had failed to obtain mandatory sanction as required under law.
The National Investigation Agency, represented by Special Public Prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves, opposed the plea, asserting that it was without merit. The agency submitted that the offences were committed by Waze in his personal capacity and were of a serious nature.
Special Judge Chakor Baviskar rejected the application after hearing both sides. The court observed that there was no provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that empowered it to drop proceedings against the accused. It also noted that Waze had raised similar grounds before the Bombay High Court in previous pleas, which were dismissed.
“Considering the background of the facts related to the case, the plea stands rejected,” the court held.
On February 25, 2021, an explosives-laden SUV was found parked near ‘Antilia’, the south Mumbai residence of Mukesh Ambani. Businessman Mansukh Hiren, who was in possession of the SUV, was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5, 2021. The case, initially investigated by the Maharashtra Police, was later handed over to the NIA due to its seriousness.
