No bail for ex-Mumbai cop in Antilia bomb scare, Mansukh Hiren murder case

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of dismissed Mumbai police officer Sunil Mane, accused in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and businessman Mansukh Hiren’s murder. The court cited strong evidence, including statements from protected witnesses and former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, which allegedly pointed to a larger preplanned conspiracy.
A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan noted that nearly 15 witness statements were recorded after the chargesheet was filed and that further investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is ongoing.
Mane, a former senior inspector at the Kandivali Crime Branch, was arrested by the NIA on April 23, 2021. The NIA alleged that he lured Hiren to a secluded location under the pretence of helping him in the bomb scare case and then handed him over to hired killers.
The bench referred to its earlier decision denying bail to co-accused and former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, who was later granted bail by the Supreme Court. “We hope and trust that the NIA will complete the investigation expeditiously and ensure justice for the deceased’s family,” the court said in its 51-page judgment.
The court highlighted that Mane had admitted guilt in a handwritten pardon request before the Special NIA Court but later withdrew it. Mane’s lawyer argued for bail on parity grounds, as some accused in the case have been granted bail. However, the bench ruled that the principle of parity does not apply, given Mane’s specific role as a co-conspirator.
The case stems from February 25, 2021, when an explosives-laden SUV was found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence, Antilia. The NIA alleges that former Mumbai cop Sachin Waze, in collusion with other accused, planted the SUV to threaten Ambani and extort money.
Hiren, who owned the SUV and reported it stolen, was allegedly killed by the accused after he threatened to expose the truth. His body was discovered in a creek in Thane on March 5, 2021.
The court acknowledged the detailed investigation and evidence, including flow diagrams linking Mane to the crime, presented by Special Public Prosecutor Sandesh Patil and advocate Chintan Shah.
The investigation is expected to continue under the supervision of the NIA.