Neither prosecution, nor court can be blamed for delay in trial: Court denies bail to accused in Antilia terror case

“..the trial of the case has not yet started. But of this, much more credit goes to the accused themselves. One after another, this and that application is filed by this or that accused. Any order is challenged to the Honourable superior courts. Discharge applications are there. Hence, neither the prosecution, nor the court can be blamed for delay in trial, if there be any,” the court said.

The case dates back to February 25, 2021, when a threat note was found in a car parked near Antilia— the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani in South Mumbai. Hiran, who was linked with the car, was found dead in a creek on March 5, 2021. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested then Mumbai policeman Sachin Waze, along with Mane, and others, alleging their role in the conspiracy to plant the note and murder Hiran. Waze, who is alleged to be the main conspirator, is behind bars, while Mane was granted bail by the Supreme Court last month. Mothkuri and three others, arrested for the role in Hiran’s murder, also remain behind bars. Of the 10 people arrested in the case in 2021, five are currently in custody.

NIA’s special public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves submitted that Hiran was called by Mane, who spoke to him on the phone as one cop named “Tawade” and instructed him to reach a location. The court said the material on record showed that Mane had handed over Hiran to the other accused, including Mothkuri, in another car, where he was strangled on March 4, 2021, and his body was dumped in the Thane creek. The court said that there is evidence including CCTV footage, call data records and other proof to show that prima facie, Mothkuri was involved in the crime. The NIA had also opposed the plea for bail stating that there is proof that Mothkuri had travelled from Mumbai to Delhi and then to Nepal, after the crime, which it said could amount to suspicious conduct, strengthening the case against him.