Antilia Bomb Scare Row: NIA Court Rejects Bail Of Suspended Officer Riyazuddin Kazi

Mumbai: On Wednesday, a court from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) rejected the discharge application of suspended police officer Riyazuddin Kazi, who is involved in the Antilia bomb scare case. Kazi, who is currently on bail, was apprehended in April 2021 for allegedly working with the main suspect, Sachin Waze, a police officer who has since been dismissed.

The NIA has accused Kazi of offenses related to conspiracy and evidence destruction, asserting that he aided Waze in obtaining fake vehicle registration plates used in the incident and subsequently destroyed Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) that had been seized.

The court observed that Kazi was instructed by Waze to gather evidence for destruction, pointing out that Kazi’s conduct indicated his awareness of the conspiracy to position a gelatin-laden vehicle near the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani.

Kazi's legal team claimed he was unaware of Waze’s illicit activities and simply followed his orders, portraying Kazi as a dedicated officer who did not intend to commit any criminal acts. In contrast, the special public prosecutor opposed the discharge, referencing Kazi's unlawful seizure of DVRs and CPUs from various sites without the necessary documentation, as well as his witnessing of Waze disposing of evidence in the Mithi river.

The court deemed Kazi’s actions as improper, highlighting that the items seized were not properly secured or submitted to the anti-terrorism squad following the transfer of the investigation in March 2021.

A special court in Mumbai has also turned down the request of former police officer Pradeep Sharma to be released in connection with the Antilia bomb scare from 2021 and the subsequent murder of Mansukh Hiran, citing the existence of a broader conspiracy. Sharma, who was granted bail in August 2023, claimed that he was falsely accused.

The Antilia bomb scare occurred on February 25, 2021, when a vehicle containing 20 gelignite sticks was found parked outside Mukesh Ambani's residence in Mumbai. A note discovered inside the car addressed to Mukesh and his wife Nita Ambani implied that this act was a precursor and threatened future violence.