The CBI has claimed that it has enough evidence “to prove the charges of murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, and forgery against all four arrested accused” in Sheena Bora’s murder case, according to a DNA report.
A Mumbai court on Monday began hearing the CBI’s arguments on the framing of charges against the four accused – Peter Mukerjea, his wife Indrani Mukerjea, Sanjeev Khanna (Indrani's ex-husband) and her driver Syamwar Rai.
CBI prosecutor Bharat Badami began his arguments by citing ‘property’ as the main reason behind the murder.
He said that there was a 'love-hate' relationship between Indrani, Sheena and Vidhie (Indrani's daughter from her previous marriage to Sanjeev Khanna).
Indrani always had a soft corner for Vidhie and hated Sheena. When she got to know that Sheena and Peter’s son Rahul were in a relationship, she got worried that her daughter Vidhie, who is a biological daughter of her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and her, would not inherit the property, and Sheena would do that after getting married to Rahul. Thus she entered into a conspiracy with Khanna and decided to eliminate Sheena.Bharat Badami, CBI Prosecutor
Meanwhile, the sudden death of Indrani Mukerjea’s father Upendranath Bora in Guwahati last Thursday has reignited speculation about the motive behind Sheena’s 24 April 2012 murder, bringing into focus the role of her brother Mikhail. Indrani’s mother Durgarani Bora also died suddenly on 2 October last year. The death of Upendranath and Durga Rani leaves Mikhail as the sole beneficiary of the Guwahati property.
“Indrani Was Desperate to Kill Sheena”
Indrani was also concerned of her “social status” in case Sheena married Rahul, which was evident through emails, messages and her behaviour towards Sheena. These factors clearly state that Indrani “was desperate to kill Sheena with the help of her ex-husband for quite some time,” Badami told the court.
Even Peter was “unhappy” about his son’s relationship with Sheena, he further stated.
“Peter Was Part and Parcel of the Case”
The prosecutor further informed the court that while Indrani came to Mumbai a day before the murder on 24 April 2012, Peter reached three days later. He feared that he would be arrested if the murder ever came to light and it was seen that he was with Indrani at the time.
In the meantime, Peter was informed about every step taken by Indrani, Badami added.
She spoke to Peter on the phone even from a spot she identified for disposal of Sheena's body, which “cannot be a coincidence”, Badami said, adding that “He (Peter) was part and parcel of the conspiracy”.
The prosecutor said that for two years before the murder, Indrani and Sheena were not on speaking terms. But on the day of the murder, Indrani invited her to dinner.
Peter told his house help (after the murder) that “Indrani has separated Sheena and Rahul”, which “discloses that Peter had full knowledge of the murder,” said Badami.
He never lodged any missing person complaint after Sheena disappeared, the prosecutor said.
(With inputs from PTI and DNA)
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