Sheena Bora case: Court accepts defence plea, defers hearing

The special CBI court on Saturday once again deferred hearing on framing of charges on accused in the Sheena Bora murder case after the defence lawyers sought time to prepare arguments because they were provided with the documents only a day ago.

Special judge H.S. Mahajan adjourned the hearing on arguments on November 15 but also rejected applications made by Peter Mukerjea’s lawyer Abad Ponda and Sanjeev Khanna’s lawyer Shreyansh Mithare seeking a copy of the statement of witness no 11, which the CBI has given to the court in a sealed condition. Prime accused Indrani Mukerjea’s lawyer Gunjan Mangala was also present in the court when the applications seeking a copy of the statement was rejected.

“We need time to prepare. But looking at the evidence submitted by the prosecution, I can say that there is no case made out to even frame charges against the accused,” Mr Ponda argued.

However, the judge refused to provide copy of the statement of the said witness with the observation that the statement cannot be given to the defence at this stage. “This court assures that the statement would be provided to the accused once charges are framed in the case,” said the judge.

On the other hand, the second supplementary chargesheet filed by the CBI in the case talks much about Peter Mukerjea.

Indrani’s former driver Shyamwar Rai in his additional statement has said that a day before Sheena’s murder, Indrani and Rai were trying to find an appropriate place to dispose off the bodies of Sheena and Mekhail Bora. After reaching Pen-Khopoli Road, Indrani had informed Peter on the phone about finding some “good place,” Rai said. “As far as I remember, after reaching a deserted place at Pen-Khopoli Road madam (Indrani) had spoken to Peter on phone and had said “good place” and told him something in English.” According to Rai, in her conversation Indrani had taken the names of Sheena and Mekhail.

Indrani’s secretary Kajal Sharma in her additional statement to the agency said, Indrani had never instructed her to talk with Peter, using Indrani’s phone, and tell him “Jiju hi I am fine” posing as Sheena Bora.

“The above facts have falsely been pointed out by Peter Mukerjea,” she said.