Sheena Bora case: Commencement of arguments on framing of charges adjourned till 15 November

Mumbai: A special CBI court on Saturday adjourned till 15 November commencement of arguments on framing of charges against former media baron Peter Mukerjea, his wife Indrani and her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna for the murder of Sheena Bora, Indrani’s daughter from a previous relationship. [caption id=“attachment_2408444” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Indrani Mukerjea (left) and Sheena Bora (right)[/caption] The prosecution was to begin its arguments for framing of charges in the case today but Peter’s lawyer Aabad Ponda sought time to prepare arguments as the defence had received copies of the second supplementary charge sheet filed by CBI on Friday. Ponda argued the defence has also not been given statement of one witness and also other documents that the prosecution was relying on. “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,” Ponda argued. CBI judge HS Mahajan consented to adjourning the matter but said statement of the witness that is part of the supplementary charge sheet cannot be given at this stage when charges are yet to be framed. “This court assures that the statement would be provided to the accused once charges are framed in the case,” the court said. Sheena (24) was strangled in a car here in April 2012 allegedly by Indrani, Khanna and Indrani’s former driver Shyamvar Rai. Sheena’s body was then dumped in a forest in neighbouring Raigad district. The case came to light only last year when Rai was arrested in another case. Rai later turned approver in the Sheena Bora murder case. CBI on Friday filed its second supplementary charge sheet before special CBI court. The agency in its charge sheet countered Peter’s arguments that he was implicated in the case and was not aware about the alleged murder and claimed that the ex-media baron was very much in the know of the conspiracy hatched by Indrani to kill Sheena. CBI further claimed Peter was also informed by Indrani on selection of spot for disposal of the body. According to the charge sheet, Indrani and Peter were against the “intimate relationship” between Sheena and Rahul, Peter’s son from his first wife. He often used to quarrel with Rahul on the issue as he didn’t approve of the relationship between Sheena and his son. As per the charge sheet, Peter always dissuaded Khanna’s daughter from Indrani, Vidhie from having any contact with Rahul and Sheena. Peter was initially fine with the relationship between Sheena and Rahul believing it would wane eventually over financial pressures. In its charge sheet filed on 19 November 2015, CBI had named Indrani, Khanna and Rai as accused in the case. Peter was arrested on 19 November 2015 for his alleged role in the murder plot. A charge sheet was filed against him by CBI on 16 February 2016.