Money matters: Indrani's UK assets tied to Sheena

CBI secured Mukerjea’s custody for another three days at a magistrate’s court

Mumbai

: Stating that the “investigation is at a very crucial stage” and Pratim alias Peter Mukerjea is not cooperating, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) gained his custody from the magistrate court for another three days on Monday. He has been taken to Delhi for further investigations.

While arguing for an extension of custody, CBI’s counsel additional solicitor general Anil Singh said, “This is no ordinary case and this is no ordinary man.”

Mr Singh also recollected that Peter was with Indrani before and soon after the murder. Further, the three days (April 23, April 24 and April 25) when the murder was being planned and executed, Peter was in touch with Indrani on the phone. Interestingly, Peter was also with Indrani when she and her first husband Sanjeev Khanna were trying to hack into Sheena Bora’s email account.

“We have come across some important information and incriminating documents that are very crucial for the purpose of investigation of the case and Peter Mukerjea has exclusive knowledge about the same. He needs to be investigated and interrogated thoroughly,” said Mr Singh. The CBI also told the magistrate that Peter, during his interrogation, did not disclose facts relevant to the case. He did not even disclose the contents of the conversation between him and Indrani on the day of the incident over the phone.

The CBI claimed to have managed to extract information from Peter that some investments in crores were made by him and Indrani in the form of fixed deposits in the United Kingdom and India. The CBI also found out from him that he has some immovable properties acquired by them in the UK around 2010-2011.

But he did not disclose the source of money for acquiring the said assets. Based on this, the CBI believes he is deliberately concealing facts relating to the murder of Sheena Bora and the disposal of her body. “Peter’s custody is required to unearth the complete criminal conspiracy and his role as well as the role of other accused persons for the murder, which was committed more than three years ago. Investigation is at a very crucial stage and hence to facilitate the ongoing investigation, his custodial interrogation is essential. His remand must be given in the interest of justice,” said investigating officer, deputy superintendent of police K.K. Singh.

According to the CBI, Peter, in a telephonic conversation also told Rahul that Sheena was alive and that he spoke to her and that she is settled in the US. But when the CBI grilled him, he did not explain why he lied (to Rahul) regarding Sheena’s disappearance. The CBI wants to send their teams to collect incriminating documents and articles, which are yet to be recovered from Peter who has links in Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Delhi, Shillong, Kolkata and foreign countries.