Sheena case: Govt seeks report on 'botch-up' by Raigad police

Maharashtra govt has ordered a probe as to why the police had not filed an FIR when Sheena's body was first found at Raigad district on May 23, 2012

Maharashtra government has directed Director General of Police Pravin Dixit to submit a fresh report on the alleged botch-up by Raigad police in the Sheena Bora murder case, as it is "unsatisfied" with a "one-page" report submitted by former DGP Sanjeev Dayal.

The state government has ordered a probe as to why the police had not filed an FIR or an ADR (Accidental Death Report) when Sheena's body was first found at a forest in Pen taluka of Maharashtra's Raigad district on May 23, 2012.

"The last DG (Dayal) submitted a one-page report to us, but I was not satisfied with it. I said supporting documents will be needed to take action against a senior police officer," Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K P Bakshi told PTI.

"The new DG (Pravin Dixit) has been given the responsibility of submitting a fresh report with corresponding documents now. We are expecting a report within the next 15 days," Bakshi said.

Meanwhile, refuting media reports on the alleged involvement of a senior police officer in delaying the Sheena Bora murder probe, Bakshi had earlier said the government had received no official communication from CBI on the issue.

"The state government, within two days of transferring the probe to the investigating agency, ensured that it gets all the logistical support it needs. We arranged for their lodging, vehicles, stationary items, computers, etc within two days so that crucial time is not wasted in filing the charge sheet," he said.

"Then, it took us about 20 days to translate all the documents that were in the possession of Maharashtra police to English and Hindi. We then got these documents certified by a government approved certifier," he said.

"The government's assistance to CBI on the directions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and their swiftness in taking the case forward led to the premier investigation agency filing the charge sheet before time," he said.

However, Bakshi refused to comment when asked if former media baron Peter Mukherjea would have escaped the clutches of law had the case not been transferred to CBI.

Peter was arrested by the CBI on Thursday in connection with the sensational murder case. On Friday, he was charged with murder and criminal conspiracy by CBI which said he had played an active role in the killing of his step-daughter.

Sheena Bora was allegedly murdered by her mother Indrani Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and former driver Shyamvar Rai here in April 2012. The body of the 24-year-old was dumped at a forest in Raigad district.

The CBI on Thursday filed a charge sheet naming Indrani, Khanna and Rai as accused--who were all arrested in August this year. The agency has charged them with criminal conspiracy to kidnap, murder, cheating, destruction of evidence, forgery and use of forged documents, besides violation of provisions of Information Technology Act.