Summary:
Mumbai, Oct 26 (PTI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has opposed dismissed Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze"s plea seeking temporary transfer from the Taloja prison to house arrest in the Bombay High Court saying Waze, being a "highly influential person," may abscond and "tamper with prosecution witnesses", if let out of the prison.
In an affidavit filed before the high court on Tuesday, the NIA said Waze was accused of "serious offences", including being part of the conspiracy to kill businessman Mansukh Hiran and planting an explosives-laden vehicle near the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani in south Mumbai.
"If any House Arrest (custody) is granted to the petitioner accused, there is every likelihood that said petitioner accused will abscond from the jurisdiction of this Hon",ble court and will tamper with the prosecution witnesses including the protected witnesses who allegedly were his associates," the affidavit reads.
"And it is not difficult for the petitioner accused to figure out who they are, even though the fact is that their identity and addresses are protected since the petitioner accused is a highly influential person in the area of Mumbai," it reads.
The affidavit was submitted in response to a plea filed by Waze earlier this month seeking that he be shifted from judicial custody to house arrest for his post-operative care following bypass surgery.
Waze had requested the court that he be permitted to remain under house arrest till he recovered fully.