In a dramatic turn in the Sheena Bora murder trial, the prosecution suffered a setback on Tuesday as Vidhie Mukerjea, daughter of Indrani Mukerjea and her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, denied ever recording a statement with the police or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Testifying before the special CBI court in Mumbai, Vidhie alleged that the statement attributed to her in the CBI’s chargesheet was “forged and fabricated.”
The case, one of India’s most sensational murder trials, has been ongoing for nearly a decade. It centres around the killing of 24-year-old Sheena Bora in 2012, a crime in which her mother, Indrani Mukerjea, along with Khanna and driver Shyamvar Rai, are accused of conspiring and executing the murder.
Witness Denies Statement in Chargesheet
On Tuesday, Vidhie deposed before special CBI judge J. P. Darekar, where she categorically rejected the claim that she had ever given a formal statement to the Mumbai police or the CBI. She admitted to being questioned by both agencies but clarified that she never dictated or signed an official record of her testimony.
“The agencies asked me questions, and I answered them,” she told the court. “But the documents shown as my statement in the chargesheet were never recorded by me or under my instruction.”
She further alleged that she was coerced into signing a stack of documents, which included copies of emails allegedly exchanged with Sheena Bora and even blank sheets, during her visit to the CBI office.
Calling the chargesheet statement a fabrication, Vidhie declared, “It is correct to say the statement annexed in the chargesheet is forged and fabricated.” She suggested that the forged statement was created with “ulterior motives and malafide intentions” aimed at falsely implicating her biological parents, Indrani and Sanjeev Khanna.
Claim of Financial Exploitation
In addition to disputing her alleged statement, Vidhie made sensational allegations against Rahul and Rabin Mukerjea, sons of media baron Peter Mukerjea, Indrani’s former husband and a co-accused in the case.
She claimed that after her mother’s arrest in 2015, Rahul and Rabin “siphoned off” her ancestral jewellery worth crores along with more than ₹7 crore from her bank account, leaving Indrani without resources to fight her legal battles.
According to her testimony, a new locker was opened in the names of Rahul and Rabin to store the jewellery. “Without the consent of Peter Mukerjea, they could not have done it,” she argued, adding that both brothers were facing financial difficulties at the time—Rahul being unemployed and Rabin not in a stable financial position.
Vidhie suggested that the theft provided them with a motive to ensure Indrani remained in prison. “If my mother were released, they would have been compelled to return the stolen money and jewellery,” she testified.
Family Feuds After Indrani’s Arrest
Recalling the period following Indrani’s arrest, Vidhie painted a grim picture of the Mukerjea household. She alleged that relatives who visited their home squabbled over Indrani’s belongings, including perfumes and handbags.
She also accused Rabin of intimidating her, saying he forced her to choose between loyalty to her mother and the Mukerjea family. According to her, Rabin threatened to disown her and deny her rights to family property if she did not side with them.
These experiences, she said, compounded the trauma she had endured since her mother’s arrest. “I was a minor at the time of the crime, and the arrest left me emotionally scarred. I continue to carry those scars even today,” she told the court.
Relationship with Sheena Bora
During her deposition, Vidhie also reflected on her interactions with Sheena Bora. She recalled that Bora had introduced herself as Indrani’s sister, not daughter, and that initially, the two women shared a close bond.
Disputes, according to her, began only after Rahul Mukerjea entered their lives. She claimed that Rahul was consuming hard drugs, and eventually Bora, too, became involved. This discovery, she suggested, led to tensions within the family.
Vidhie testified that she last met Bora at a family wedding in Goa in 2011 but stayed in touch with her through emails until 2013.
Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution maintains that in April 2012, Sheena Bora was strangled in a car by Indrani, Khanna, and driver Shyamvar Rai, who later turned approver. Her body was allegedly burnt and dumped in the forests of Raigad district, outside Mumbai.
The crime came to light only in 2015 when Rai, arrested in a separate case under the Arms Act, confessed to his role in Bora’s killing. This revelation led to the arrests of Indrani, Peter, and Khanna.
Prosecutors also allege that, after the murder, Indrani used Bora’s email account to send messages to family and friends to create the illusion that Bora was still alive.
Defence Questions CBI’s Credibility
Defence lawyer Ranjeet Sangle, representing Indrani Mukerjea, seized upon Vidhie’s testimony as a serious blow to the prosecution’s case. If proven, her claims of forged statements could raise troubling questions about the CBI’s handling of the investigation.
By asserting that Rahul and Rabin had both motive and opportunity to misrepresent facts, Vidhie’s testimony has also introduced a new dimension to the already complex trial, potentially shifting the narrative around Indrani’s alleged role.
Ongoing Testimony
The hearing on Tuesday was only part of Vidhie Mukerjea’s ongoing testimony. Her cross-examination and further deposition are scheduled to continue on Wednesday, where she is expected to face more questions about her allegations and her recollections of events.
As the trial progresses, her statements could play a pivotal role in shaping the defence strategy and influencing the court’s assessment of the prosecution’s evidence.
By
binance US-registrera says:
binance úcet says:
