‘Wasn’t scared when plot to kill Sheena was hatched’
TESTIMONY Indrani’s driver says he got no reward as promised
Accused turned approver in the high-profile Sheena Bora case, Shyamvar Rai, on Monday revealed that he was not ‘scared’ when he gave his assent to Indrani for killing Sheena. He also told the special court that he had agreed to execute the plan to kill Sheena, the very first time Indrani had called him from London.
Rai is currently being cross-examined by his former boss Indrani’s counsel Sudeep Pasbola. He revealed that Indrani had called him nearly six times through Skype and that her manager Kajal helped him to speak to her (Indrani).
“Yes, it is correct that I agreed to the murder on the very first call that was made by Indrani from London,” Rai said.
“I was not scared while giving my assent as I was assured that my family would be looked after. Also, I used to work there (at Indrani’s home) and was told that I do not have to do much in killing her (Sheena),” Rai said.
Rai also informed the court that he did not receive any money despite the fact that Indrani had agreed to it and he had actively participated in the conspiracy to kill Sheena. He also revealed that he had never asked for any monetary reward for executing Indrani’s plan.
However, Rai failed to give a proper answer to a query wherein he was asked to specify the exact spot in Bandra, from where he along with Indrani had kidnapped Sheena. He also failed to spell out the places where he had taken the Khar police, post his arrest in August 2015.
The cross-examination will now continue on September 4.
The defence in the Sheena Bora murder case on August 19 pointed out to the court that approver Shyamvar Rai’s claim that key accused Indrani Mukerjea had asked him to throw away the parcel which contained the country-made revolver and its cartridges, appeared for the first time in the statement before CBI.
Rai was first arrested by Mumbai police in connection with an arms case and in custody he had spilled the beans about Sheena’s murder.
The CBI, which took over the case, has claimed that financial dispute was the reason for Indrani to hatch the conspiracy to murder Sheena. Rai during his cross examination told the court that he did not recollect if he told this to the Mumbai police. He also told special judge J D Jagdale that he could not operate Skype (to speak to Indrani) and her secretary would connect it.
Rai was on Saturday grilled about his arrest in the arms case by Indrani’s advocate Sudeep Passbola. The murder came to light in August, 2015 after Rai, arrested in another case, spilled the beans and Mumbai police arrested Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, and Rai.
Later, Indrani’s husband Peter Mukerjea, a former media baron, was also arrested. The victim was also in a relationship with her mother’s current husband Peter’s son.