Sheena Bora case trial to be expedited; prosecution asked to commence its arguments

Mumbai: 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.