Overview
- A division bench led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar dismissed Sharma’s challenge to the special NIA court’s February 2025 order as not warranting interference.
- The court noted that only a prima facie case is tested at the discharge stage and that the strength of witness statements and the circumstantial chain will be assessed during trial.
- Investigators allege Sharma conspired with dismissed officer Sachin Vaze to eliminate Mansukh Hiran after an explosives-laden SUV was found near Antilia; Sharma was arrested in June 2021 and later granted Supreme Court bail in August 2023.
- Prosecutors told the court the chargesheet has been supplied and acknowledged by the accused, while Sharma argued the case against him rests solely on circumstantial evidence.
- The case stems from the February 25, 2021 recovery of a Scorpio with 20 gelatin sticks and a threat letter near Mukesh Ambani’s residence, followed by Hiran’s death in Thane’s Retibunder Creek.