Former Mumbai Cop Sachin Waze Secures Bail in Goregaon Businessman Extortion Case

Dismissed Mumbai cop Sachin Waze has been granted bail by a special CBI court in Mumbai. This decision comes about a case registered against him and three others, including former Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh, by the Mumbai police at Goregaon police station. Waze’s arrest on November 1, 2021, by the Mumbai Crime Branch marked the beginning of a complex legal journey that has garnered widespread attention and scrutiny.

The Allegations and Investigation

The case against Sachin Waze and his associates revolves around allegations of extortion. The prosecution’s claim is that Waze and others were involved in collecting money from bars and restaurants, allegedly on the instructions of influential politicians. This led to the filing of a chargesheet against them. However, due to Parambir Singh’s appeal to the Supreme Court, the case was eventually transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Bail Plea

Sachin Waze, represented by his lawyers Aabad Ponda and Aarti Kalekar, argued in court that the charges of extortion, which are non-bailable offenses, carry a maximum sentence of three years if convicted. Importantly, he had already spent over one year and ten months as an undertrial in this case, which amounted to more than half the potential sentence.

The CBI’s Opposition

The CBI opposed Waze’s bail plea, citing additional charges against him. In addition to extortion, Waze faced charges related to threatening the victim businessman to extort money. These charges carry a maximum sentence of ten years, a significant escalation compared to the initial allegations. The CBI argued that Waze had not even completed half of the potential sentence for these charges.

The Court’s Decision

After careful consideration of both sides’ arguments, Special Judge SU Hake ordered Sachin Waze’s release on bail. However, this release is subject to the condition that Waze executes a personal bond of Rs Two Lakhs and provides one or two solvent sureties of the same amount. It is worth noting that two other accused individuals in the case had already been granted bail, while Parambir Singh was never arrested during the investigation.

UAPA and Ongoing Legal Battles

Despite being granted bail in this particular case, Sachin Waze’s legal troubles are far from over. He still faces charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare case and the case related to the death of businessman Mansukh Hiran. In these cases, he has been named as one of the prime accused by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

In conclusion, while Sachin Waze has secured bail in the Goregaon businessman extortion case, the legal labyrinth he finds himself in remains intricate and multifaceted. As this high-profile case continues to unfold, it underscores the complexities of the Indian legal system and the enduring challenges faced by individuals entangled in such cases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why was Sachin Waze arrested in the first place?Sachin Waze was arrested in connection with allegations of extortion, specifically for allegedly collecting money from bars and restaurants on behalf of influential politicians.
2. What were the grounds for granting him bail?The court granted Sachin Waze bail on the grounds that, for the charges of extortion, which are non-bailable, he had already spent more than half of the potential maximum sentence as an undertrial.
3. What additional charges did Waze face, and why were they significant?In addition to extortion, Waze faced charges of threatening the victim businessman to extort money. These charges carry a maximum sentence of ten years, making them more severe than the initial allegations.
4. What other legal battles does Sachin Waze still have to face?Sachin Waze continues to face charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare case and the case related to the death of businessman Mansukh Hiran.