The bomb scare at industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence, Antilia, which dominated Maharashtra’s political landscape in 2021, is back in the spotlight, stirring controversy and debate once again.

The key figures in this saga remain the same: Anil Deshmukh, then Maharashtra Home Minister and a close ally of Sharad Pawar; BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis; former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh; and Sachin Waze, a dismissed police officer now in custody.

The renewed interest in this case is partly due to its timing, coinciding with the upcoming Assembly elections and the fact that both Deshmukh and Fadnavis hail from Nagpur.

What Is the Case About?

The case dates back to February 2021, when a bomb was found in a car parked outside Antilia. At that time, Deshmukh was the Home Minister, Singh was the Mumbai Police Commissioner, and Waze had recently been reinstated after a long suspension.

The initial fallout from the bomb scare led to a series of charges and counter-charges. Deshmukh, who was removed from his position as Mumbai Police chief by Singh, alleged that Singh had kept the MVA government in the dark about the case’s details.

The Chain of Charges and Counter-Charges

The controversy began when Singh wrote a letter to then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, accusing Deshmukh of demanding Rs 100 crore in bribes from businesses in Mumbai. This letter led to Deshmukh’s resignation, subsequent investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and his arrest in November 2021. Waze later became an approver in the CBI case and corroborated Singh’s allegations.

Deshmukh, in turn, claimed that Waze’s testimony was motivated by personal connections and that Waze had bypassed the police hierarchy. He also alleged that Waze and Singh were colluding against him.

Why Is the Issue Roiling Again?

The issue flared up anew on July 24, when Shyam Manav, founder of the Akhil Bharatiya Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, claimed that Fadnavis had pressured Deshmukh to implicate key MVA leaders to avoid action from central agencies. Deshmukh confirmed these allegations, asserting that Fadnavis’s aide, Samit Kadam, had offered to drop the charges if Deshmukh implicated then-CM Thackeray and others.

BJP’s Response

Fadnavis has denied the allegations, asserting that Deshmukh’s claims are an attempt to create a false narrative. The BJP contends that the central agencies acted based on Singh’s letter and accuses Deshmukh of trying to drive a wedge between the Mahayuti allies by suggesting Fadnavis’s ulterior motives.

MVA’s Position

Deshmukh has now accused Singh of being the mastermind behind the Antilia bomb scare. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the case, has questioned Singh but has not named him as an accused. MVA leaders support Deshmukh, suggesting that the renewed allegations are part of a broader effort to tarnish his reputation.

Additional Developments

On July 30, Waze, still in judicial custody, alleged that Deshmukh had pressured him to engage in illegal activities when he was with the Mumbai Police’s Crime Intelligence Unit.

The ongoing debate highlights the complex interplay of politics, law enforcement, and media in Maharashtra, with each new revelation adding layers to the already intricate case.