Hindustan Times (Delhi)

Didn’t give anti-depressant to Indrani: Jail

- Megha Sood megha.sood@hindustant­imes.com

MUMBAI: Did Indrani Mukerjea, a former media baron who faces a murder trial for allegedly killing her daughter Sheena Bora and also booked for irregulari­ties in the INX Media deal, overdose on anti-depressant pills outside the jail?

The question has come up after the jail authoritie­s claimed they did not give Mukerjea the anti-depressant that was found in her urine sample.

“After the ruckus and death of Manjula Shetye in Byculla prison, Indrani was shifted to a different barrack with two inmates. We maintain a diary to keep track of the quantity, time and name of person who administer­ed medicines to her,” said a senior jail official.

“On Friday, Mukerjea was given half-a-tablet by a nurse, who ensured she had the medicine in front of her . Mukerjea has a blood clot in her head because of which we don’t give her any anti-depressant.”

An inquiry by the jail authoritie­s found Indrani had food from outside when she attended her trial in the city civil and sessions court. “We have recorded the statement of two jail officials and two inmates. The inmates told us that Mukerjea had told them not to wait for her to have food as she was going to eat outside,” said the officer.

The officer said they plan to record statements of three jail officials, including the team that escorts her to the court. Mukerjea has, so far, not filed an applicatio­n to have home-cooked food. “Eating within the court premises raises questions on the security of undertrial­s,” said sources. Refusing to comment, Rajvardhan Sinha, inspector general of police (prisons), who is heading the inquiry, said, “We have sent a request to JJ Hospital to record Mukerjea’s statement. We will decide on action after we get the statement and discharge report.”

CONDITION IMPROVING, SAY JJ HOSPITAL DOCS

After being in a state of drowsiness for more than five days, Indrani Mukerjea, prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, regained consciousn­ess on Tuesday. Doctors said that she is responding to verbal commands, with her general condition improving.

“Her fever has come down and the brain activity is normal. Her blood reports were normal, but her urine report from Hinduja Hospital came positive for high dosage of benzodiaze­pine,” said doctors from Sir JJ Hospital.

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