Enough Evidence Shows His Involvement: Bombay High Court Refuses Bail to Ex-Police Officer in Mansukh Hiran Murder Case.
The Bombay High Court has denied bail to Sunil Mane, a former police officer, in the murder case of businessman Mansukh Hiran. The Court reviewed a Criminal Appeal from Mane challenging the earlier bail denial. Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj K. Chavan stated that, based on the evidence available, there is enough indication of Mane’s involvement in Hiran’s murder, despite the statement from the former Commissioner of Police. They noted that Mane, as a police officer, might have connections that could lead to witness tampering. The charges against him are serious, including those under the strict UAP Act. Senior Advocate Ashok P. Mundargi represented Mane, while Special Public Prosecutor Sandesh Patil represented the other side.
Mane was a Senior Inspector at the Kandivali Crime Branch and was the fifth of ten accused. He was arrested in April 2021. Mansukh Hiran had filed an FIR for the theft of his vehicle under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which was later handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry. The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) then took over the case. Additionally, another FIR was filed for various alleged offenses, including those under the IPC and the Explosive Substances Act, after police discovered 20 gelatin sticks in an abandoned vehicle near an industrialist’s home.
Mansukh Hiran’s body was later discovered in Mumbra Creek, leading to the filing of an FIR against unknown individuals. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) then took over the case. Inside a vehicle linked to the FIR, authorities found 20 gelatin sticks in a blue backpack with a ‘Mumbai Indians IPL’ logo, along with a threatening note aimed at industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani. The Appellant was charged, but the investigation remains incomplete. The High Court noted that Mr. Parambir Singh’s statement, along with other evidence, suggests a planned conspiracy to kill Mansukh Hiran. The court expressed hope that the NIA would conclude the investigation swiftly to deliver justice to Hiran’s family.
The Court stated that granting bail to the Appellant would not be appropriate, as it could hinder the trial. The Appellant had previously submitted a written request for pardon to the Special Court, NIA, Mumbai, admitting guilt. However, he later withdrew this application. Additionally, the Criminal Appeal No. 1266 of 2022, which the Appellant filed against a Special Court order from November 10, 2022, was dismissed by this Court on October 3, 2024, due to lack of prosecution.
The Court decided that the law of parity would not apply in this case due to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Tarun Kumar v. Assistant Director, Directorate of Enforcement (2023). This was particularly relevant because the Appellant seemed to have a specific role as a co-conspirator. As a result, the High Court rejected the Appeal and denied bail to the accused.
Cause Title: Sunil Dharma Mane v. National Investigating Agency & Anr. (Neutral Citation: 2024:BHC-AS:43860-DB)
Appearance:
Appellant: Senior Advocate Ashok P. Mundargi, Advocates Shailesh Kantharia, and Naghdeep Oak.
Respondents: APP Kranti T. Hiwrale, SPP Sandesh Patil, Advocates Chintan Shan, Prithviraj Gole, Krishnakant Deshmukh, and Shubhankar Kulkarni.
