Antilia bomb-scare: Mumbai court grants bail to ex-cop Sachin Vaze
Synopsis
After more than four years in custody, former encounter specialist Sachin Vaze has been granted bail in the Antilia bomb-scare case — with the Special NIA Court finding that gelatin sticks without detonators did not prima facie amount to terrorism under UAPA. The ruling exposes a significant crack in the prosecution's case, even as charges remain framed and a mammoth 14,000-page trial looms.
Key Takeaways
A Special NIA Court in Mumbai granted bail to former cop Sachin Vaze in the 2021 Antilia bomb-scare case on Tuesday .
Vaze is barred from entering five districts — Brihanmumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Thane, and Palghar — until key witnesses record statements.
Bail was granted against a personal bond and surety of ₹1 lakh each ; passport must be surrendered.
The court found the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie terrorism case under UAPA , noting gelatin sticks were found without detonators.
Vaze had been in custody since 13 March 2021 ; the case involves 320 witnesses and a charge sheet of over 14,000 pages .
Charges were framed against Vaze and nine others on 1 August 2026 under UAPA and murder provisions.
A Special NIA Court in Mumbai on Tuesday granted bail to former police officer Sachin Vaze in the 2021 Antilia bomb-scare case, while barring him from entering five districts — including Mumbai and Thane — until key witnesses record their statements. The order marks a significant development in one of Maharashtra's most high-profile post-2021 criminal cases.
Key Bail Conditions
Special Judge Chakor S. Baviskar granted bail against a personal bond and surety of ₹1 lakh each, directing Vaze to surrender his passport. The former Assistant Police Inspector (API), who had been in custody since 13 March 2021, must also provide his proposed residential address outside the five restricted districts within seven days of the order.
The court further directed Vaze to report to his local police station every Sunday between 12 noon and 3 pm and to share his location via calls or video calls with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or the police. The five districts from which he is barred are Brihanmumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Thane, and Palghar.
Court's Reasoning on UAPA Charges
Crucially, the Special NIA Court observed that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case of terrorism against Vaze under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court noted that gelatin sticks found in the SUV parked near Antilia — the residence of a prominent industrialist in south Mumbai — were recovered without detonators and did not prima facie constitute a direct terrorist act or a threat to the country's economic security.
The court also observed that no statement had been recorded from any victim or member of the family residing at Antilia, further weakening the prosecution's immediate case for continued detention.
Parity with Co-Accused
Vaze's legal team argued successfully on grounds of parity, pointing out that co-accused Pradeep Sharma and Sunil Mane had already been granted bail by the Supreme Court and the High Court respectively. His lawyers also flagged the sheer scale of the trial — involving 320 witnesses and a charge sheet exceeding 14,000 pages — making an early conclusion of proceedings unlikely.
Background: The Antilia Case and Mansukh Hiran Murder
According to the NIA, an explosives-laden SUV carrying a threat letter was found parked near the multi-storey Antilia building in south Mumbai on 25 February 2021. Businessman Mansukh Hiren, who claimed the SUV had been stolen from him, was found dead in a creek in Thane on 5 March 2021. Vaze was arrested shortly thereafter and is also a suspect in the Hiran murder case.
The NIA alleged that Vaze was involved in parking the SUV with the motive of terrorising wealthy individuals and extorting money. A Special NIA Court framed charges against Vaze and nine others on 1 August 2026, paving the way for trial under UAPA provisions and murder charges.
What Happens Next
With bail now granted, the trial is set to proceed, though its completion remains distant given the volume of evidence and witnesses involved. The restrictions on Vaze's movement and mandatory weekly reporting are designed to ensure he remains accessible to investigators while the witness examination phase unfolds. How the NIA responds — and whether it challenges the bail order in a higher court — will be closely watched.
Point of View
The prosecution's timeline looks stretched against a 320-witness, 14,000-page charge sheet. The parity argument — that co-accused already have bail — also underscores how the NIA's strategy of differential detention is increasingly difficult to sustain in court. Whether the agency challenges this order will reveal how confident it actually is in its terrorism framing.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sachin Vaze granted bail in the Antilia bomb-scare case?
The Special NIA Court granted bail because the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case of terrorism under UAPA, noting that gelatin sticks found in the SUV near Antilia had no detonators and did not constitute a direct terrorist act. The court also accepted Vaze's parity argument, since co-accused Pradeep Sharma and Sunil Mane had already received bail from higher courts.
What are the conditions attached to Sachin Vaze's bail?
Vaze must furnish a personal bond and surety of ₹1 lakh each and surrender his passport. He is barred from entering Brihanmumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Thane, and Palghar districts until key witnesses record their statements, must report to his local police station every Sunday between 12 noon and 3 pm, and must share his location with the NIA or police on demand.
What is the Antilia bomb-scare case?
On 25 February 2021, an explosives-laden SUV carrying a threat letter was found parked near Antilia, the south Mumbai residence of a prominent industrialist. The NIA alleged the vehicle was placed there to terrorise wealthy individuals and extort money. The case is linked to the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiren, who was found dead in a Thane creek on 5 March 2021.
Who else is accused in the Antilia bomb-scare case?
Charges were framed against Sachin Vaze and nine others on 1 August 2026 under UAPA and murder provisions. Co-accused Pradeep Sharma and Sunil Mane had previously been granted bail by the Supreme Court and the High Court respectively.
How long was Sachin Vaze in custody before getting bail?
Sachin Vaze was in custody from 13 March 2021 until the bail order on Tuesday — a period of over four years. His lawyers argued that given the scale of the trial (320 witnesses, a charge sheet of over 14,000 pages), an early conclusion was unlikely, strengthening the case for bail.
