Indrani Mukerjea's Petition to Travel Abroad Rejected by Supreme Court Over Trial Concerns

New Delhi- The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed Indrani Mukerjea's petition seeking permission to travel abroad, citing concerns about the ongoing trial in the Sheena Bora murder case. The bench, led by Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal, directed the trial court to conclude proceedings within a year and expressed doubts about her return if allowed to leave the country.

Mukerjea, a former media executive, was granted bail by the Supreme Court in 2022 after 6.5 years of incarceration. She stands accused of murdering her 25-year-old daughter Sheena Bora in 2012, a case that shocked the nation when it came to light in 2015.

The investigation began after Mumbai Police received information from Shyamvar P. Rai, Mukerjea's former driver, who was arrested on unrelated charges. The CBI later took over the case, charging Mukerjea under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder and criminal conspiracy.

The case revealed complex family dynamics: Sheena, whom Mukerjea had presented as her sister, was in a relationship with Rahul Mukerjea, her step-brother and son of Peter Mukerjea, Indrani's former husband. Investigators believe Mukerjea opposed this relationship and conspired to kill Sheena.

According to the investigation, Bora's partially burnt body was disposed of in Raigad's forests. In 2021, Mukerjea claimed her daughter was alive and living in Kashmir, but investigators dismissed this assertion. The case continues to proceed with the CBI pressing for a conviction.