Bombay HC questions Sachin Waze’s Mercedes, 100-day Oberoi stay: ‘Is this possible on API salary?’

Bombay High Court expressed astonishment on Thursday regarding the ownership of five luxury cars by dismissed police officer Sachin Waze, particularly his frequent use of a Mercedes even for his office commute and visits to the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office and Maharashtra Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha Bungalow.

The bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale made these observations during the hearing of the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) appeal against the bail granted to Waze in connection with the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, representing the NIA during the proceedings, elaborated that the Mercedes belonged to Waze himself. The court inquired about the integrity, conduct, and loyalty of an individual in uniform, questioning whether it was not unusual for an Assistant Police Inspector to own a Mercedes while a Commissioner of Police would not. The bench also questioned Waze’s salary, which the ASG stated was approximately Rs 90,000, and the possibility of him staying at the Oberoi Hotel for 100 days.

The National Investigation Agency alleged that Waze had orchestrated the Antilia bomb scare as part of a plan to rebuild his reputation and position himself as a "super cop." According to the NIA, Waze planted an explosives-laden SUV outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence and ensured he received the investigation, allowing him to claim credit for solving the case.

The agency further alleged that Waze murdered businessman Mansukh Hiran, who had possession of the SUV, to prevent exposure of the conspiracy, which aimed to create terror among the industrialist and his family, as well as across society. The High Court extended its earlier interim stay on Waze’s bail and challenged the September 29 order granting him bail.