Today, the Supreme Court granted bail to former police officer Pradeep Sharma arrested in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case and the killing of businessman Mansukh Hiren.

The division bench of Justices A.S. Bopanna and Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha was dealing with the appeal challenging the judgment passed by the High Court where the appellant has been convicted of the alleged offences punishable under Sections 120B, 201, 302, 364 and 403 of IPC, Section 25 of the Arms Act and Sections 16, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2004.  

Back in 2021, an explosives-laden SUV was found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's Mumbai home 'Antilia'. The owner of the SUV Hiran, was found dead on March 5, 2021. The incident triggered speculation and led to investigations into potential security threats and organized criminal activities. 

Dismissed police officer Sachin Waze is the main accused in the Antilia bomb planting case and the killing of Hiran. Later in June, Pradeep Sharma was arrested in the case.

Supreme Court observed that since all witnesses out of more than 300 witnesses named are to be examined and, in that regard, further investigation under Section 173(8) is pending, and a supplementary charge sheet would be filed, the process will not conclude in the near future. In so far as the role alleged against the appellant, as already noted by the High Court the charge sheet does not disclose that the appellant was involved in the conspiracy of planting gelatin sticks in the Scorpio vehicle. As per the charge, the appellant is stated to have conspired with Sachin Waze and others to eliminate Mansukh Hiren which is a matter of circumstantial evidence to be proved by the prosecution. 

The bench observed that while the High Court concluded that the appellant, being a retired police officer, might interfere with the trial process, it also acknowledged that his 37 years of service as a police officer and his deep ties to Mumbai should be considered as factors in favor of the appellant. These factors suggest that he is likely to be available to participate in the trial proceedings.

The Supreme Court has noted that a different agency, the NIA (National Investigation Agency), is handling the prosecution of the case. Additionally, there have been no adverse reports regarding the appellant's behavior while he was out on interim bail. The court also recognized that the appellant is likely aware that violating any of the bail conditions would not be in his best interest.

Furthermore, it has been brought to the court's attention that the appellant has familial responsibilities, including caring for his 93-year-old mother and supporting his wife, who is in poor health and requires bariatric surgery reversal. The court acknowledged that this aspect was considered when granting interim medical bail, and the necessary operation could not be conducted during the brief period he was on interim bail.

In view of the above, the bench allowed the appeal. 

Case Title: Pradeep Rameshwar Sharma v. National Investigating Agency & Anr.