**Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Former Constable Vinayak Shinde in Antilia Bomb Scare Case**

*Mumbai:* The Bombay High Court recently granted bail to former constable Vinayak Shinde, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in the Antilia bomb scare case.

A bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan observed that the only role attributed to Shinde was supplying SIM cards purchased by co-accused Naresh Gor to suspended policeman Sachin Waze. Waze then distributed these SIM cards to other accused individuals, which were reportedly used in the commission of the offence.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested Shinde in March 2021 for his alleged role not only in the Antilia bomb scare case but also in the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran.

The High Court was hearing an appeal filed by Shinde challenging a January 20 order from the special NIA court that rejected his bail plea. Shinde’s advocate, Dinesh Tiwari, submitted that Shinde has been in custody since his arrest in 2021. He argued that the sole evidence against Shinde concerns the supply of SIM cards purchased by Gor, which were distributed by Waze and used in the offence. Moreover, all other accused linked to the case have been granted bail.

The court noted that Naresh Gor was granted bail by the special court. Other co-accused, Riyazuddin Kazi and Pradeep Sharma, have also been granted bail by the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court, respectively. Additionally, the bench highlighted that Shinde has not been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or under the Arms or Explosive Substances Act.

The NIA counsel, Sandesh Patel, opposed the bail plea, pointing out that Shinde allegedly committed the offence while he was out on parole in another case — the fake encounter case of Ramnarayan Gupta, alias Lakhan Bhaiya. The High Court noted that Shinde’s conviction in the Lakhan Bhaiya case was confirmed by the court and that he is currently challenging it before the Supreme Court.

Considering the circumstances, the court directed Shinde’s release upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000. He has also been instructed to regularly attend the NIA office and court proceedings during the trial.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/antilia-bomb-scare-case-bombay-hc-grants-bail-to-former-constable-who-supplied-sim-cards-from-one-accused-to-another