Antilia Bomb Scare: Mumbai Court Grants Bail to Ex-Cop Sachin Vaze as NIA Court Questions UAPA Applicability

In a significant development, a Mumbai court on Tuesday granted bail to former policeman Sachin Vaze in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare case. The court, while delivering the order, questioned the applicability of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), noting that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that the Ambani family was terrorised or that the contents of the SUV found near their residence constituted a terrorist act.

The case dates back to February 2021, when an SUV with explosives was found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence, Antilia, in Mumbai. The investigation later linked Vaze, then an assistant police inspector, to the incident. The court also addressed the death of Mansukh Hiran, the owner of the SUV, stating that it was a separate incident and not connected to terrorism. The NIA had invoked UAPA against Vaze, but the court's observations raise questions about the strength of the terror charges.

This bail order could have broader implications for the use of UAPA in high-profile cases, potentially setting a precedent for stricter scrutiny of terror charges. The NIA may consider appealing the decision, while Vaze's legal team has welcomed the order. The development is likely to spark political debate, with opposition parties questioning the investigation's handling. The next steps may involve further legal proceedings and possible challenges to the bail in a higher court.