In a significant development, Justice Bharati Dangre of the Bombay High Court recused herself on August 27, 2024, from further proceedings regarding the habeas corpus petition filed by former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze. This move comes after a Division Bench had earlier directed the National Investigating Agency (NIA) to submit an affidavit in response to Waze’s plea, which seeks his immediate release amid ongoing corruption charges involving high-profile political figures.
The case has drawn attention due to Waze’s alleged involvement in a corruption scandal linked to Anil Deshmukh, a former Minister for Home Affairs in Maharashtra, who has been released on bail. Waze contends that despite being the approver in the case, he remains incarcerated while other co-accused are granted bail. His petition asserts that he spent two years in Taloja Central Prison without a single chargesheet being filed against him, despite having received a pardon from a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court.
Waze was arrested in February 2021 following the discovery of a Mahindra Scorpio vehicle near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence, which contained explosives and a note, leading to allegations of serious criminal conduct. The investigation revealed that Waze had conducted multiple summons of a businessman, Mansukhlal Hiren, who later went missing and was subsequently found dead, triggering accusations against him in the case.
Following this, the Maharashtra government transferred the investigation to the Anti-Terrorist Squad, and later, the Ministry of Home Affairs directed the NIA to take over. The NIA’s findings indicate serious violations of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by Waze and his associates.
Additionally, the High Court directed the CBI in April 2021 to investigate Waze and Deshmukh for allegedly extorting bribes amounting to ₹100 crore per month from Mumbai bar owners. Despite becoming an approver in the case under the Criminal Procedure Code, Waze’s bail plea remains unresolved, highlighting a complex legal landscape ahead.
The case will now be reassigned to another Division Bench for further hearings, marking another chapter in this ongoing legal saga involving significant political implications.
