The court dismisses the CBI’s plea to halt the release of the docu-series on Indrani Mukerjea, stating there is nothing against the prosecution. The decision clears the path for the release of the series, centered on the Sheena Bora murder case.
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MUMBAI: On 29th February, the Bombay High Court has dismissed the Central Bureau of Investigation‘s (CBI) plea to halt the release of Netflix’s documentary series, ‘The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth’. The series, which explores the mysterious disappearance of Sheena Bora, has been under scrutiny, with the CBI expressing concerns over its potential impact on the ongoing trial. Despite these apprehensions, the court found no evidence suggesting the series would prejudice the trial or the prosecution.
During the proceedings, the court highlighted-
“There is nothing in the series that goes against the prosecution or the trial. We tried to look at it in every single way, but honestly we did not find anything.”
ALSO READ: CBI Requested to Bombay High Court for Stay on Indrani Mukerjea Documentary Series Release
This statement underscores the judiciary’s stance on maintaining impartiality amidst media portrayals of high-profile cases.
In the Sheena Bora case, Indrani Mukerjea, accused of strangling her daughter in 2012, was released on bail in May 2022. The alleged murder plot involved her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyamvar Rai. The body was reportedly kept in a car overnight and later moved to a forest outside Mumbai, where it was set on fire. Peter Mukerjea, Indrani’s then-husband, knew of the conspiracy, but the murder was discovered three years later.
The series, initially set to premiere on February 23, faced delays due to legal challenges but is now cleared for release. The court’s decision emphasizes the balance between freedom of expression and the integrity of judicial processes, stating-
“Public perceptions can be influenced by newspapers and everything. But the judiciary does not get affected by all this. We only go by evidence and what is produced before us. Public perception is the least of a court’s concern.”
“Initially, we felt that the CBI had a genuine apprehension and hence we gave it the opportunity to view the series and we did not even let the other party to argue,”
-the High Court said.
The court emphasized that the content of the series aligns with information already accessible to the public.
ALSO READ: CBI Petitions Mumbai Court to Halt Netflix Broadcast of Indrani Mukerjea Documentary Series
Despite the CBI’s claim that the series may prejudice justice, the high court asserted having found nothing in it against the prosecution. Additional Solicitor General Devang Vyas argued that the series could influence public perception, but the court emphasized its focus on evidence rather than media influence. The court also rejected Peter Mukerjea’s attempt to intervene, suggesting he could file a separate suit if needed.
The CBI’s plea in the high court came after a special court rejected a similar application earlier. With the court’s decision, the Netflix series is now set for release, delving into the controversial Sheena Bora case.
