‘Enough material to prove Mane’s hand’

MUMBAI: The special NIA court rejected the discharge plea of dismissed Mumbai police officer Sunil Mane stating that the prosecution had enough material to prove conspiracy and its culmination in the murder of Mansukh Hiran in the Antilia explosives scare case.

Special NIA judge AM Patil, in his detailed order, which became available on Friday, said, “Upon perusal of statements of witnesses, it is clear that prima facies involvement of this applicant (Mane) is seen in this case.”

The court further observed, “It is also seen that prosecution has material to prove conspiracy between the accused and its culmination in the murder of Mansukh by accused No. 1 (dismissed Mumbai police officer Sachin Vaze) along with the co-accused, including applicant,” said the court.

“Apart from the statements of witnesses, the prosecution has incriminating evidence such as call detail records of mobile phone used by the accused. Statements of protected witnesses further show the presence of this applicant along with accused No. 1. It is also seen from the chargesheet that Mansukh was killed by the accused because of crime dated

the 25.02.2021,” it added.

Concluding that it could not be held at this stage that Mane was not involved in the conspiracy of planting explosives laden car outside Antilia, it said, “It is the basic story of prosecution that the act of parking of explosive laden Scorpio vehicle of Mansukh and thereafter murder of Mansukh was a well-planned act involving high-end criminal conspiracy which was executed by the accused with an intent to strike terror.”

Mane was arrested by NIA on April 23 for his role in the killing of Thane trader Hiran.

He had sought discharge from the case claiming that the sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act could not be invoked against him, as the acts of terror came to an end on February 25, 2021 when an explosives-laden SUV was abandoned outside Antilia.

HT ARCHIVE Sunil Mane