Trial Resumes After Four-Month Break
The high-profile Sheena Bora murder trial is set to resume on a daily basis starting March 10, ending a standstill of more than four months following the transfer of the special judge presiding over the case. The last significant hearing took place on October 23, 2024, under Special CBI Judge S.P. Naik Nimbalkar, who has since been transferred.
New Judge to Oversee Proceedings
On Friday, the newly appointed Special Judge, J.P. Darekar, informed both prosecution and defence lawyers about the decision to resume the trial proceedings daily. The directive comes in accordance with instructions from the Bombay High Court.
Background of the Murder Case
Sheena Bora, aged 24, was allegedly murdered in April 2012 by her mother, Indrani Mukerjea, Indrani's former husband, Sanjeev Khanna, and her then driver, Shyamvar Rai. According to the prosecution, Sheena was strangled inside a car before her body was burnt and disposed of in a forest area in Raigad district near Mumbai.
The case, however, remained undiscovered until 2015, when Rai, after being arrested in an unrelated case, revealed details about the murder.
High-Profile Accused Out on Bail
Among the accused are media personality Peter Mukerjea, Indrani Mukerjea’s former husband. Indrani and Sanjeev Khanna were arrested in August 2015, with Peter Mukerjea being taken into custody three months later. Shyamvar Rai later turned approver in the case. Presently, all accused individuals are out on bail.
Status of the Trial
The trial officially began in February 2017 after charges were framed against all accused parties. Out of the 237 prosecution witnesses listed, over 90 have been examined thus far.
The daily trial aims to expedite the judicial process, providing closure to a case that has garnered significant public and media attention.
