A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Friday directed the prosecution in the Sheena Bora murder case to commence its arguments on the framing of charges against the accused, and mak
A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Friday directed the prosecution in the Sheena Bora murder case to commence its arguments on the framing of charges against the accused, and make its opening statements from the next date of hearing onwards.
Following the court’s direction, CBI counsels Bharat Badami and Kavita Patil told the court that the prosecution is ready to open the case in support of the framing of charges.
During the hearing, prime accused Indrani Mukerjea’s lawyer Gunjan Mangala told the court that they have no objection in starting the trial. But advocate Mihir Gheewala, on behalf of Peter Mukerjea who is also accused in the case, told the court that the CBI has to make a statement that its investigation is over and then could start arguing on the framing of charges.
Advocate Gheewala also moved an application before the court requesting it to pass an order directing the CBI to take all the steps necessary to prevent the potential evidence, documents, witnesses statements and material produced by it in its chargesheet from being used in the media without appropriate permission being taken from this court. He contended that the tapes are vital pieces of evidence in the case and given the manner in which they were aired on a news channel, the witnesses could be directly affected. He said that a media trial could lead to Peter Mukerjea’s case being prejudiced.
Special judge H.S. Mahajan said nobody is taking the media reports seriously. The court also made it clear that none of the parts of the purported tapes on the murder case were leaked from the court. The CBI told the court that there was no leak from its side either. The judge also said that the court cannot allow the application filed by Peter, gagging the media. The applicant and CBI, however, are free to take action against the media if they wish to.
The court also extended the judicial custody of Indrani Mukerjea, her husband Peter and her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna, till September 13, when the agency is also likely to open its case.
