Mumbai Cop Sachin Waze remanded to NIA custody till March 25 in case connected with explosive-laden SUV found outside Mukesh Ambani residence

The Special Court dealing with cases being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has remanded Mumbai cop, Sachin Waze to NIA's custody till March 25, 2021 in relation to the First Information Report (FIR) registered in connection with explosives-loaded SUV found outside billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani's residence in Mumbai on February 25..The FIR was registered by NIA on March 8 under Sections 286 (Negligent conduct with explosive substance), 465 (punishment for forgery), 473 (counterfeit seal), 506(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code..Waze was arrested at 11.50 pm on Saturday and was interrogated for 13 hours before he was produced before the Special NIA Court. .Public Prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves sought remand on the grounds that there was prima facie and circumstantial evidence against Waze. .Waze's lawyers advocates Sunny Punamiya and Sudeep Pasbola opposed the remand on the ground that they were not handed a copy of the remand report. They also claimed that Gonsalves had tendered the investigation papers to the Court and made oral submissions without spelling out the specifics..They stated that Waze was arrested solely based on suspicion and no prima facie case was established."The only ground to detain the accused was suspicion and no prima facie case." they stated..Their contention was that if there is no prima facie case established on a bare reading of the FIR against Waze, his detention itself is illegal."Hence even one day's detention would be violative of his constitutional right," Punamiya submitted..Punamiya pointed out to the Court that the most important submission was that his arrest itself is illegal on the ground that he was not informed of the grounds of his arrest."He wasn’t supplied with the grounds of arrest. He wasn’t given an option to seek an opinion, or help or call relative of choice. On this ground, his custodial interrogation is not warranted or arbitrary and the accused must be released on bail forthwith as the investigation has not been conducted as per the settled principles of laws or under the Code of Criminal Procedure," it was argued..After hearing both parties, the Additional Sessions Judge PR Sitre deemed it fit to remand Waze to NIA custody for more interrogation. .The Sessions Judge kept the matter for further hearing on Monday after directing NIA to show what evidence it has collected and what is the stage of investigation.The Court will also consider the applications filed by Waze seeking a copy of the remand report and for lawyers to meet him in custody..Waze was arrested by the NIA on the same day the Sessions Court at Thane refused to grant him interim protection in his plea for anticipatory bail.