Bombay High Court Grants Bail To Sachin Waze In Corruption Case Related To Anil Deshmukh

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted bail to dismissed controversial cop Sachin Waze, who was arrested in the 'corruption' case related to former Home Minister and senior NCP (SP) leader Anil Deshmukh.

A division bench of Justices Mahesh Sonak and Jitendra Jain ordered Waze's release subject to the conditions, that will be imposed on him by the special anti-corruption court in Mumbai.

"We clarify that his bail is only in the context of the special case (corruption case) and there is no question of the petitioner seeking his release in any other case, in which he is wanted," the judges clarified.

Notably, Waze is also accused in the case pertaining to the Antilia 'fake' bomb scare case and also the murder of the businessman Mansukh Hiren's case.

A detailed copy of the order is yet to be made available. However, the judges disposed of the main petition, keeping open the question on the validity of the provision of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which provides an approver to remain in the prison till the trial in a given case is commenced.

Waze had turned approver in that case and is in custody since then. He has sought his release arguing that all the accused including Deshmukh are out on bail and he being an approver still continues to be in custody and thus he cannot be kept in jail for an "indefinite period."

Notably, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an FIR against Deshmukh and others on April 21, 2021 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and section 120B of the IPC for an attempt to obtain undue advantage for the improper and dishonest performance of public duty.

The agency had accused Deshmukh of corruption in transfers and postings of police officers in Maharashtra. Waze, who was suspended in the early 2000s in a custodial death case, claimed that Deshmukh demanded money to facilitate his reinstatement in the police force on June 6, 2020.

Appearance:

Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda along with Advocates Sajal Yadav, Shalabh Saxena, Raunak Naik, Aayushya Geruja, Harsh Ghangurde, Raj Raut & Mahaveer Lohar appeared for Waze.

Additional Solicitor General Raja Thakare represented the CBI.