Guwahati, 11th July: In a surprising turn of events, human bones linked to the high-profile 2015 Sheena Bora murder case, previously reported missing from the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) storeroom, have been found. The CBI informed the special CBI court of the recovery on Wednesday, bringing a new twist to the ongoing trial.
The revelation emerged during the cross-examination of forensic expert Dr. Zeba Khan. Last month, Public Prosecutor CJ Nandode had declared the bones untraceable, raising concerns about the integrity of the investigation. However, just before Dr. Khan’s testimony, Special CBI Judge SP Naik Nimbalkar disclosed that an email and hard copy from an individual claiming to be Khan’s brother had been received. The complaint accused Dr. Khan of accumulating substantial wealth abroad, suggesting potential collusion with the accused, which could explain the disappearance of the evidence.
The defense, represented by lawyers Ranjeet Sangle, Manjula Rao, and Shreyansh Mithare, urged a thorough investigation into these serious allegations. Judge Nimbalkar concurred, highlighting the gravity of the accusations and the need for clarity.
Despite these developments, Nandode later confirmed that the bones had been located in the CBI storeroom but noted that the CBI no longer intended to use them as evidence. He requested the court to proceed with Dr. Khan’s cross-examination without delay. The defense, however, insisted on presenting the bones in court, a motion the judge denied, citing the CBI’s decision not to rely on them.
The cross-examination of Dr. Khan was completed by the end of the day, yet the defense maintained their call for an investigation into the allegations against her, emphasizing their potential impact on the accused’s defense. Judge Nimbalkar assured that a formal decision regarding the investigation would be issued on Thursday.
The CBI’s case alleges that Sheena Bora was murdered in 2012 by her mother, Indrani Mukerjea, with the assistance of her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyamwar Rai. The body was purportedly transported to Pen village and incinerated. Peter Mukerjea, Indrani’s then-husband, is accused of being part of the conspiracy. The skeletal remains were initially discovered by Pen police in 2012 and sent to JJ Hospital for examination. The case gained traction in 2015 following Rai’s arrest, which led to his confession and cooperation with the authorities.
This latest development adds another layer of complexity to the case, underscoring the need for meticulous judicial scrutiny and comprehensive investigation.