A special NIA (National Investigation Agency) court here has refused bail to an accused in the Antilia bomb scare and businessman Mansukh Hiran murder case, stating he was the "actual assailant who smothered the victim." The court ruled that the grounds of parity cited by the accused, Satish Mothkuri, would not apply, as the co-accused released on bail by the respective courts "were all together on different footings."
"The role of Satish is quite serious. He is the actual assailant who smothered the victim Mansukh [Hiran], due to which, death of Mansukh is caused, which prima facie is homicidal death amounting to murder," the court said.
The case originated on February 25th, 2021, when an explosives-laden SUV was discovered near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence, 'Antilia', in south Mumbai. Hiran, who was in possession of the SUV, was found dead in a creek in neighbouring Thane some days later on March 5.
In his order of October 28, details of which were made available on Friday, Special NIA Judge Chakor S Baviskar rejected Mothkuri's bail application, which he had filed on grounds including parity and delay in the trial.
The court stated that "credit" for the delay in the commencement of the trial goes to the accused themselves. "Axiomatically, the trial of this case has not yet started. But for this much more credit goes to the accused themselves. One after another, this and that application is filed by this or that accused. Hence, neither the prosecution, nor the court can be blamed for delay in trial, if there be any," the court noted.
It further said that even otherwise, considering the gravity of the offences and the role played by the accused, the ground of parity alone would not entitle him to be released on bail.
As per the prosecution, Mothkuri actively participated in the actual commission of Hiran's murder in return for monetary payment. The National Investigation Agency claimed his presence on the murder spot has been "established satisfactorily," adding that he dumped the victim's body into the creek/river and attempted to destroy evidence.
Besides Mothkuri, other accused in the case include dismissed policemen Sachin Waze and Pradeep Sharma.
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