Accused in Antilia Bomb Scare Case Alleges NIA Official Pressured Him to Turn Approver
In a significant development in the high-profile 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case, one of the accused has submitted a plea before the special trial court alleging misconduct by an official from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The plea, submitted on Saturday, claims the official attempted to coerce him into becoming an approver and testifying as a prosecution witness.
Details of the Allegations
Accused Manish Soni stated in his plea that during a court production on March 13, an NIA officer approached him with a proposition. According to Soni, the officer promised to assist him in securing bail if he applied to become an "approver" in the case. An approver is a co-accused who turns prosecution witness, often in exchange for leniency or other benefits.
Soni further alleged that after he verbally informed the court about this interaction during proceedings, he was not produced before the judge for the following two scheduled hearing dates. This has raised questions about potential retaliation or procedural irregularities following his disclosure.
Court Proceedings and Response
The special trial court has directed the investigating officer to submit a formal reply to these serious allegations. The matter has been adjourned to April 10 for further consideration. Soni's plea specifically requested that his allegations be officially added to the court record to ensure transparency and proper documentation of the events.
Background of the Case
The Antilia bomb scare case dates back to February 25, 2021, when a Scorpio vehicle containing explosives was discovered near Antilia, the south Mumbai residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The situation escalated when the owner of the Scorpio, Mansukh Hiran, was found murdered on March 4, 2021, allegedly in connection with the same case.
Ten individuals have been named as accused in this complex investigation, including dismissed police officers Sunil Mane, Sachin Waze, and Pradeep Sharma. Manish Soni, who submitted the recent plea, was specifically accused of driving the car in which Hiran was allegedly murdered. He was arrested in 2021 and has remained in custody since then.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
This new allegation adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate legal proceeding. The court's decision to direct the investigating officer to respond indicates the seriousness with which these claims are being treated. Legal experts suggest that such allegations, if proven, could have significant implications for the prosecution's case and the overall integrity of the investigation.
The development comes at a critical juncture in the trial, which has attracted substantial public and media attention due to the high-profile nature of the case involving one of India's most prominent business families and allegations of police involvement in criminal activities.
