Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 3: In a major setback to the prosecution in the Sheena Bora murder case, Vidhie Mukerjea, daughter of prime accused Indrani Mukerjea and her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, told a special CBI court on Tuesday that documents shown as her statement in the chargesheet were ‘forged and fabricated.’
Deposing before special CBI judge J P Darekar, Vidhie denied recording any statement before probe agencies. She alleged that the CBI had made her sign on blank sheets and on copies of emails during questioning. When the chargesheet statement was shown to her, she stated, “It was never recorded by me or under my instruction.”
Vidhie further alleged that her mother Indrani was left without funds for legal defence as Peter Mukerjea’s sons, Rahul and Rabin, had siphoned off her ancestral jewellery worth crores and cash exceeding Rs 7 cr. She claimed the duo had a “clear motive” to falsely implicate her mother, who is currently out on bail.
The witness, who was a minor when the crime came to light, said she suffered immense trauma following her mother’s arrest in 2015 and continues to bear emotional scars. She also accused the Mukerjea family of intimidating her and fighting over Indrani’s belongings after her arrest.
According to the prosecution, Sheena Bora (24) was strangled in a car in April 2012 by Indrani, driver Shyamvar Rai (approver), and Sanjeev Khanna, before her body was burnt and dumped in Raigad district. The crime surfaced in 2015 after Rai’s confession in a separate case.
Vidhie recalled meeting Bora last at a family wedding in 2011 and keeping in touch with her through emails till 2013. She also testified that disputes between Indrani and Sheena began after Rahul Mukerjea started visiting their Worli residence, alleging Rahul and Sheena were both into drugs.
The witness claimed jewellery and money were stolen even before Peter Mukerjea’s arrest, arguing that without his consent, his sons could not have acted. She contended Rahul, who was unemployed, and Rabin, who was financially unstable, had a desperate need for money.
The testimony will continue on Wednesday.