‘Threat to life’ exaggerated, says CBI court, rejects Indrani’s bail plea

MUMBAI: The special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court rejected the bail plea filed by Indrani Mukerjea on Friday, dismissing claims of threats to her life at Byculla Jail as “exaggerated”.

Mukerjea had raised a security issue after an incident of alleged drug overdose on April 6, for which she had to be rushed to Sir Jamshedjee Jeejeebhoy Hospital. She was discharged five days later and the cause of her collapse remains unclear. While the hospital authorities said she had overdosed on antidepressants, the forensic science laboratory (FSL) ruled out overdose and said she was suffering from a medical ailment. The CBI has denied any conspiracy angle to her collapse.

In her bail application, Mukerjea said she suffered blackouts due to ill health and that there were threats to her life in prison. She mentioned two instances of alleged drug overdose that led to her being hospitalised.

Special CBI judge JC Jagdale took note of the CBI’S submission that Mukerjea is kept in a secure cell and the premises have round-the-clock security. The agency opposed Mukerjea’s plea, arguing that granting Mukerjea bail would be prejudicial to the prosecution’s case.

Jagdale observed that Mukerjea was safer in Byculla Jail than outside.

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