Indrani gets bail in Sheena Bora murder case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to Indrani Mukerjea, the prime accused in the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora, saying that six-and-a-half years years in prison is too long a term and that the trial will not be completed anytime soon.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao noted that Indrani Mukerjea has been in jail since 2015, and said the trial is not going to be completed anytime soon as out of 237 witnesses cited by prosecution only 68 have been examined till date.

"The petitioner is charged with kidnapping with an intention to murder her daughter after entering into a criminal conspiracy. The petitioner is wife of Peter Mukerjea, who is co accused in the case. The allegation made against the petitioner is that she planned the murder in view of the live in relationship of her daughter with Rahul Mukerjea, who is the son of Peter Mukerjea through his earlier wife," the bench said.

Former media baron Peter Mukerjea's marriage to Indrani Mukerjea ended during her period of incarceration in 2019. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Indrani Mukerjea, who is currently lodged at the Byculla women's prison in Mumbai following her arrest in August 2015. The senior lawyer said Indrani Mukerjea has been in jail for over six years and she is a lady entitled to special dispensation under section 437 Rohatgi submitted that the trial is not going to complete anytime soon as a large number of witnesses are yet to be examined while Peter Mukerjea, co-accused in the case, has already been granted bail in 2020.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the CBI, told the court that there is clinching evidence in the form of call records against Indrani Mukerjea about her involvement in the case. He said 50 per cent of the remaining witnesses have been given up and the trial would end soon.

He opposed the bail plea and told the apex court that one of the crucial witnesses, Rahul Mukerjea, alleged boyfriend of Sheena Bora, is slated to be examined on May 27.