Antilia case: NIA court directs Yerwada jail administration to take Pradeep Sharma into custody

Mumbai: A special court in Mumbai on Friday directed Yerwada Jail authorities to immediately take Antilia bomb case accused and former police officer Pradeep Sharma from a hospital in Pune. Pradeep Sharma is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Pune. National Bureau of Investigation (NIA) special court judge A M Patil said after perusing the report of an expert committee of doctors that it has been found that Sharma's condition is stable and can be discharged.

The court said that in such circumstances, the Jail Superintendent of Yerwada Central Jail, Pune, is directed to immediately take Sharma into custody from the hospital. An SUV laden with explosives was found nearby.

Bombay High Court canceled the bail application

The Bombay High Court had on January 23 refused bail to former police officer Pradeep Sharma, arrested in connection with the Antilia bomb case and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiren. A division bench of the High Court had rejected Sharma's bail plea challenging the order of the special court.

What is the charge of NIA on Sharma?

NIA had said, Pradeep Sharma was an active member of the gang, which conspired to intimidate others including the Ambani family and later killed Mansukh Hiren, as he was aware of the conspiracy. The investigating agency claimed that Hiren was aware of the entire conspiracy (to plant an explosive-laden vehicle near Antilia).

(ASHNA)