The trial in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and the connected Mansukh Hiran murder case, involving dismissed Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze and nine others, will enter the evidence stage on November 4, when the special court hearing the case starts recording evidence.
The vehicle belonged to Hiran, a Thane-based businessman, who had reported it stolen at the Vikhroli police station a week earlier. The first three witnesses are associated with the Gamdevi police station FIR concerning the explosives-laden Mahindra Scorpio SUV found outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) case and the Vikhroli vehicle-theft case, respectively. The eventual number to be examined at trial remains unclear.
They are Asif Sande, scheduled to testify on November 4, Vinay Gaikwad on November 16 and Vilas Pukale on November 19. The NIA filed its charge-sheet against ten accused on September 3, 2021, with the first hearing taking place on September 7. The original charge-sheet cited around 200 witnesses, including 20 protected witnesses. Earlier this month, the agency informed the court that it would not rely on statements from 23 witnesses, including former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh. The case relates to the recovery of a Mahindra Scorpio SUV containing gelatin sticks and a threat letter near Ambanis’ residence on February 25, 2021. His body was found in a creek in Thane on March 5.
The trial in the case commenced on August 1, after charges were framed against all the accused, including Waze, who pleaded “not guilty”.
Hiran’s family members to testify about his movements
Vinod and Vimla also made statements about Waze allegedly advising Hiran to get arrested for a few days, promising to secure his release. These allegations are yet to be tested in court.
Meet has told investigators his father had left home on March 4, 2021, to meet a police officer he knew as “Tawde”, according to the NIA investigation.
The special NIA (National Investigation Agency) court has tentatively scheduled nine prosecution witnesses from November 4 to December 14, including Hiran’s son, brother and widow, whose statements concern his movements before his death and allegations against Waze.
