The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a discharge plea filed by former police officer Pradeep Sharma in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that while the court could entertain applications for bail or anticipatory bail, granting discharge at this stage was not permissible.
Court's Observation
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Sharma, argued before the bench seeking discharge from the case. However, the bench remained firm, stating that the stage of discharge had not yet arrived. The court clarified that it could only consider bail or anticipatory bail pleas for the accused at this point in the proceedings.
Background of the Case
The Antilia bomb scare case pertains to an incident in February 2021, when a vehicle laden with explosives was found near Antilia, the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai. The case also involves the murder of Mansukh Hiren, a Thane-based businessman who was in possession of the vehicle. Pradeep Sharma, a former encounter specialist of the Mumbai Police, was arrested in connection with the case and has been in custody since.
The Supreme Court's decision comes as a setback for Sharma, who had sought discharge from the case on grounds of lack of evidence. The bench, however, declined to entertain the plea, noting that the trial court would examine the evidence during the trial.
Legal Implications
Legal experts suggest that the Supreme Court's observation indicates that the trial must proceed before any discharge can be considered. The case is now expected to continue in the trial court, where Sharma and other accused will face charges. The court's refusal to grant discharge underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough judicial process.
Sharma's legal team may now explore other legal remedies, including filing a fresh bail application. However, the Supreme Court's stance suggests that any such plea will be evaluated strictly on its merits.
