CBI takes over Sheena Bora murder probe

The CBI has taken over the probe into the sensational Sheena Bora murder case and registered complaints against three prime accused, an official said here on Tuesday.

Taking over the case 10 days after the Maharashtra government handed it over, the Central Bureau of Investigation lodged a case against the victim's mother Indrani Mukerjea, her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and her former driver Shyamvar Rai.

They have been charged under sections 120-B, 364, 302, 307, 328, 201, 202 and 203 of the Indian Penal Code and section 3(25) of the Arms Act pertaining to criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, destruction of evidence and causing hurt by administering poison, among others.

The CBI Special Crime Branch took over the investigations following a request made by the Maharashtra government and a subsequent notification issued by the Centre.

The trio has been accused by Mumbai Police of hatching a criminal conspiracy to murder Sheena Bora, abducting and murdering her and disposing of her half-burnt body in a forest in Raigad.

In a surprise move 10 days ago, the Maharashtra government decided to hand over the probe to the CBI after nearly a month of controversies, allegations and counter-allegations on the role of former city police commissioner Rakesh Maria, who was suddenly promoted as Director General of Police.

The state government's decision followed a case status report submitted by DGP Sanjeev Dayal, which averred that the case had many implications beyond the murder - the motive of which is still not clear - including property and financial angles.

Sheena Bora, a 25-year-old executive with a private company, was murdered on April 24, 2012 and her body disposed of in a forest off Gagode village in Raigad district.

She was the daughter of Indrani Mukerjea, the wife of former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea, based in Mumbai.

While Indrani and her former driver Rai were nabbed from Mumbai, her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna was arrested from Kolkata.