The Supreme Court Today (Dec 9) sought the CBI’s response on former media executive Indrani Mukerjea’s plea challenging a Bombay High Court ruling denying her to travel abroad as she is accused of killing her daughter Sheena Bora. The travel restriction matter came up to the Supreme Court after a special court on July 19 allowed Mukerjea’s plea to visit Spain and the United Kingdom for 10 days over the next three months.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding a plea filed by former media executive Indrani Mukerjea, who is challenging a Bombay High Court order that denied her permission to travel abroad.
Mukerjea, accused of the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora, had sought to visit Spain and the United Kingdom.
Background of the Case
The matter arose when a special court on July 19 granted Mukerjea permission to travel to Spain and the UK for a period of 10 days over the next three months.
However, this decision was challenged by the CBI in the Bombay High Court, which overturned the special court’s order on September 27.
In response, Mukerjea filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the high court’s ruling.
Supreme Court’s Directions
A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Aravind Kumar reviewed Mukerjea’s plea and directed the CBI to respond to the matter.
Mukerjea, represented by advocate Sana Raees Khan, argued that she required permission to travel for specific administrative reasons.
In her plea, she emphasized-
” My status as a British citizen and sought approval to visit these countries for making necessary changes and amendments and taking care of pending work which cannot be transacted without her personal presence.”
She further argued-
“My physical presence was mandatory to activate a digital certificate, essential for completing all required documentation in Spain.”
High Court’s Rationale
The Bombay High Court, while quashing the special court’s order, highlighted that Mukerjea could address her administrative needs from India.
It stated that the necessary assistance could be sought through the statutory authorities in India with the support of the embassies of Spain and the UK.
The Sheena Bora Case
Indrani Mukerjea was arrested in August 2015 following revelations about her involvement in the murder of Sheena Bora. Bora, 24 at the time, was allegedly killed in April 2012. According to the prosecution, she was strangled in a car by Mukerjea, her then-driver Shyamvar Rai, and former husband Sanjeev Khanna.
The body was later burned in a forest in Raigad district near Mumbai. Sheena Bora was Mukerjea’s daughter from a previous relationship.
The murder came to light in 2015 when Shyamvar Rai, arrested in a separate Arms Act case, disclosed information about the crime during police interrogation.
Subsequently, Indrani Mukerjea’s former husband, Peter Mukerjea, was also arrested for allegedly conspiring in the crime.
Current Status
All accused in the case, including Indrani Mukerjea, Peter Mukerjea, and Sanjeev Khanna, are presently out on bail.
Indrani Mukerjea, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court in May 2022, continues to deny the allegations against her.
This case, which has drawn significant public attention, now awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on whether Mukerjea will be allowed to travel abroad to handle her personal and administrative matters.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Sheena Bora Murder
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
