Sachin Waze Seeks Bail Citing Five-Year Trial Delay in Antilia Case

Dismissed police officer Sachin Waze has approached a special court seeking bail in connection with the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and the subsequent murder of Thane trader Hasmukh Hiran, citing prolonged incarceration without the commencement of his trial. The court on August 11, 2026, directed the prosecution to file its response to Waze's bail application.

In his plea, Waze contended that his continued detention violates Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the fundamental right to life and personal liberty, including the right to a speedy trial. He argued that the likelihood of the trial concluding in the near future remains extremely remote.

The case dates back to February 25, 2021, when an abandoned SUV containing 20 loose gelatin sticks and a threat note was discovered near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence, Antilia, in Mumbai. Hiran, who owned the SUV, had reported the vehicle stolen. On March 5, 2021, Hiran was found dead in a creek near Mumbra, with six handkerchiefs stuffed inside his mouth and a scarf covering his face.

Waze was arrested by investigating authorities on March 13, 2021. The first chargesheet in the matter was submitted on September 3, 2021. According to the bail application, the investigating agency filed its first supplementary chargesheet on May 29, five years after his arrest.

The supplementary chargesheet runs into more than 14,000 pages, names 10 accused persons, and lists 320 witnesses. Additionally, the overall case record includes more than 100 TB of video footage along with other digital and electronic evidence.

Waze further highlighted that formal charges in the case were framed only on August 1, nearly five years following his initial arrest. Based on these delays, Waze urged the special court to grant him bail pending the outcome of the trial.