Mother and step-dads charged with murder in Sheena Bora case

mumbai — A Special CBI Court on Tuesday started the trial in the Sheena Bora murder case by framing charges against her mother Indrani Mukerjea and her two stepfathers — former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea and Kolkata-based businessman Sanjeev Khanna.

The three have been charged among others with the murder, kidnapping and abetment to murder of the 24-year-old Sheena, a former executive with Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd, on April 24, 2012.

After they were told about the charges, the accused pleaded not guilty and said they were prepared to face trial. Special Judge H.S. Mahajan posted the matter for next hearing on February 1 when the trial is expected to start.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said the minimum punishment in the case was life imprisonment and the next procedure for the prosecution would be to prove its charges against the accused.

The three accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to murder, criminal conspiracy to murder, kidnapping and causing disappearance of evidences.

Khanna and Indrani have been additionally charged with attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy to kill her son and Sheena’s brother Mikhail Bora after the latter claimed his drink was spiked the same evening his sister was killed.

Indrani and her ex-husband Khanna were arrested in August

Indrani seeks to divorce Peter

MUMBAI — Indrani Mukerjea, one of the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, seeks to divorce her husband and co-accused Peter Mukerjea. She informed the CBI Special Court Special Judge H.S. Mahajan and sought his permission for the same.

The judge said it was a personal matter and did not require the court’s clearance.

Former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea was not present at that time as he had been whisked off to jail earlier. — 2015 along with her former driver Shyamvar Rai while Indrani’s present husband Peter Mukerjea was nabbed in November.

The Mukerjea couple and Khanna have remained in police and CBI custody since their arrest.

The arguments for the framing of charges started on December 19, with the CBI contending that the victim was killed owing to her relationship with Rahul Mukerjea, son of Peter Mukerjea from an earlier marriage. —