Bombay HC cancels Sachin Vaze's bail in 2021 Antilia bomb-scare case
Synopsis
Five years after the 2021 Antilia bomb-scare shook Mumbai, the Bombay High Court has cancelled dismissed cop Sachin Vaze’s bail — accepting the NIA’s argument that he poses a witness-tampering risk. The bench’s sharp observations about Vaze owning five luxury vehicles on a ₹90,000 monthly salary signal that his alleged extortion links will be central to the trial ahead.
Key Takeaways
The Bombay High Court on 5 November 2026 cancelled bail granted to former cop Sachin Vaze in the 2021 Antilia bomb-scare and Mansukh Hiran murder cases.
A bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale quashed the Special NIA Court’s 29 September bail order.
The NIA argued Vaze posed a risk of witness tampering and evidence destruction.
The court flagged Vaze’s ownership of five luxury vehicles — including BMWs and Mercedes — on a salary of approximately ₹90,000 per month .
Vaze also reportedly stayed at a seven-star hotel in South Mumbai for around 100 days , raising questions about his finances.
Vaze will remain in judicial custody at Thane Central Prison , where he has been lodged for five years .
The Bombay High Court on Thursday, 5 November 2026, cancelled the bail granted to former Mumbai cop Sachin Vaze in the 2021 Antilia bomb-scare and Mansukh Hiran murder cases, delivering a significant setback to the dismissed officer who had been lodged in Thane Central Prison for the past five years. The court accepted an appeal by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against a 29 September order of a special court that had initially granted Vaze bail.
The Court Order
A bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale passed the ruling, explicitly quashing the special court's earlier decision. “The impugned order of the special court is quashed and set aside. The appeal by the NIA is allowed,” the High Court order stated. The bench had earlier imposed an interim stay on the bail, keeping Vaze in judicial custody while it heard the NIA’s arguments.
Background: The Antilia Case and Mansukh Hiran Murder
Vaze is a central accused in the Antilia bomb-scare case, in which an SUV laden with explosives was recovered near the Mumbai residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani in February 2021. Mansukh Hiran, who was reportedly linked to the vehicle and considered a potential witness, was later found murdered. The NIA has charged Vaze in connection with both cases, alleging he was a key operative behind the conspiracy.
The NIA opposed bail on grounds that Vaze could tamper with witnesses and destroy evidence. “He was earlier charged in a fake encounter case. He was a police officer who had the duty of protecting the public. But he himself indulged in criminal activities where he not just tried to instil fear and terror but he murdered a person,” the NIA’s lawyer argued before the court.
Vaze’s Lavish Lifestyle Flagged by the Bench
During earlier hearings in October, the High Court expressed open surprise at Vaze’s lifestyle, noting his extended stay of approximately 100 days at a seven-star hotel in South Mumbai and his use of a fleet of high-end vehicles. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, representing the NIA, presented witness statements describing Vaze travelling in a black Mercedes and instructing those accompanying him to switch off their mobile phones.
The court then reviewed a list of five vehicles linked to Vaze during his tenure as an Assistant Police Inspector: a white BMW, a black Volvo, a white Mercedes, a white Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, and another black Mercedes. The bench remarked pointedly, “Since we have not yet seen an Assistant Police Inspector driving a Mercedes...” The court also noted that Vaze had visited the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office and the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s residence ‘Varsha’ in a high-end Mercedes.
The bench questioned how an officer drawing a monthly salary of approximately ₹90,000 could sustain such expenditures, with the NIA asserting that the vehicles and lifestyle are linked to alleged extortion activities.
What Happens Next
With the High Court cancelling bail, Vaze will continue to remain in judicial custody at Thane Central Prison, where he has been held for the past five years. The NIA’s case now proceeds with Vaze behind bars, removing immediate concerns about witness tampering. The trial in the Antilia and Hiran cases is expected to continue before the Special NIA Court in Mumbai, with the High Court’s observations on Vaze’s financial conduct likely to form a significant part of the prosecution’s larger narrative.
Point of View
Or unravels in a protracted trial, will depend on how well the NIA has insulated its witnesses — the very concern it raised to get bail cancelled in the first place.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Bombay High Court cancel Sachin Vaze's bail?
The Bombay High Court cancelled Vaze’s bail on 5 November 2026 after accepting an NIA appeal arguing that he posed a risk of tampering with witnesses and destroying evidence. The bench also noted the special court’s bail order did not adequately account for Vaze’s financial conduct and prior criminal history.
What is the Antilia bomb-scare case?
The Antilia bomb-scare case involves an SUV loaded with explosives that was found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s Mumbai residence in February 2021. Sachin Vaze, then an Assistant Police Inspector, is accused of orchestrating the incident. Witness Mansukh Hiran, linked to the vehicle, was subsequently found murdered, leading to a separate but connected murder charge against Vaze.
What was the court's reaction to Vaze's lifestyle?
The bench expressed surprise that an Assistant Police Inspector earning around ₹90,000 per month owned five luxury vehicles — including a white BMW, two Mercedes, a Volvo, and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado — and reportedly stayed at a seven-star hotel in South Mumbai for about 100 days. The court found these aspects relevant to assessing the charges, particularly alleged extortion.
Where is Sachin Vaze currently lodged?
Vaze is currently in judicial custody at Thane Central Prison, where he has been held for approximately five years. The High Court’s bail cancellation means he will remain there as the trial proceeds before the Special NIA Court in Mumbai.
What happens next in the Antilia case?
With bail cancelled, the trial in both the Antilia bomb-scare and Mansukh Hiran murder cases will continue before the Special NIA Court in Mumbai. The NIA is expected to pursue its case with Vaze in custody, reducing its stated concern about witness interference. The court’s observations on Vaze’s finances are likely to feature prominently in the prosecution’s arguments.
