Former media executive Indrani Mukerjea, accused in the high-profile Sheena Bora murder case, has approached the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court denied her permission to travel abroad. This comes as a twist in her ongoing legal battles, where she contests allegations of her involvement in the 2012 murder of her daughter.
Timeline of the Legal Dispute Over Travel
On July 19, a special court granted Indrani Mukerjea permission to visit Spain and the UK for a total of 10 days over the next three months, citing personal obligations, including managing her bank account and other formalities as a British national. However, this ruling was challenged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), leading the Bombay High Court to overturn the special court’s decision on September 27.
Now, Indrani Mukerjea seeks relief from the Supreme Court, contesting the Bombay High Court’s stance that her travel requirements could be addressed with support from Indian authorities in coordination with the embassies of Spain and the UK.
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Background of the Sheena Bora Murder Case
Indrani Mukerjea’s legal troubles began with her arrest in August 2015, following revelations about the murder of Sheena Bora in April 2012. According to the prosecution, Bora, aged 24, was allegedly strangled in a car by Indrani Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, and her then-driver Shyamvar Rai. The body was reportedly burned and disposed of in a forest in Maharashtra’s Raigad district.
The case came to light after Rai, arrested in a separate arms-related case, reportedly disclosed details of the crime during interrogation. Indrani Mukerjea has consistently denied the allegations and was granted bail by the Supreme Court in May 2022.
Peter Mukerjea, Indrani’s ex-husband and former media tycoon, was also implicated in the conspiracy and arrested but, like all other accused in the case, is currently out on bail.
Indrani Mukerjea’s Stand
Indrani Mukerjea maintains her innocence, and her latest plea to travel abroad underscores her claim that the trip is necessary for personal and professional reasons. Her legal team argues that denying her the right to travel infringes upon her fundamental rights, given her status as a British national.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on Mukerjea’s petition will be critical, not just for her personal liberty but also in setting a precedent for legal challenges surrounding international travel in ongoing criminal cases.
