Bombay HC grants bail to Peter Mukerjea in Sheena Bora murder case; Bail order stayed for 6 weeks to allow CBI appeal

In a set back to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to Peter Mukerjea in the Sheena Bora murder case. .However, on the CBI’s request, the Court has, stayed the operation of the bail order for six weeks to allow an appeal before the Supreme Court..Mukerjea has been in prison for over four years on charges of having murdered Sheen Bora, the 24 year old daughter of his ex-wife, Indrani Mukerjea..On Thursday, Justice Nitin W Sambre allowed the bail plea moved by Peter Mukerjea in the case, opining that there was no prima facie evidence of his involvement in the alleged murder. The Court also noted that call records produced by the State did no adequately prove his involvement in the crime..Except for statement of the approver in the case, Shyamwar Rai, there is no reference to Peter Mukerjea in any evidence. There is no other evidence to show his involvement in the conspiracy.Justice Nitin W Sambre.Other factors taken into account included that Mukerjea was not in the country when the crime took place. Further, the judge also took note that Mukerjea had recently undergone a bypass surgery..Appearing for Mukerjea, Advocate Shrikant Shivade told the Court that the bail applicant hand no role in the case. The plea was opposed by Additional Solicitor General, Anil Singh and CBI counsel, Sanesh Patil..Sheena Bora, born to Indrani Mukerjea from a previous relationship, went missing in April 2012. In 2015, the Mumbai police arrested Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, and her driver, Shyamvar Pinturam Rai on allegations that they had abducted and murdered Sheena Bora before burning her corpse..The crime came to light after Rai, who helped dispose of Bora’s corpse, was arrested in another case. Rai later turned approver in the case. Peter Mukerjea, who was Indrani’s husband at the time, was arrested in November 2015, on allegations that he was also part of the conspiracy that led to Bora’s death..Bail has been granted to Peter Mukerjea on a surety of Rs 2 lakhs. Further Mukerjea has been barred from leaving the country and directed to surrender his passport to the police. Mukerjea has also been asked not to contact his children or other witnesses in the case until further orders. Moreover, he is restricted from asking for adjournments in the ongoing trial in the murder case before the special Court..So far, 61 witnesses have deposed in the trial, including forensic experts and Rai. Peter's son Rahul, who is a key eyewitness, is yet to depose.