The Sheena Bora murder trial took another turn on Friday when accused-turned-approver Shyamvar Rai told the special court that he has no recollection of asking the prosecution to make him a witness or an approver.
Appearing before a special Central Bureau of Investigation court, Rai said he does not remember requesting anyone to help him make a confessional statement. Rai, who was the driver of prime accused Indrani Mukerjea, is currently lodged in Thane jail.
On September 26, 2015, Rai told the magistrate he wanted to become an approver in the case. On April 29, 2016, he sought a pardon from the court. Rai had told the Khar police, the magistrate and the CBI court that Indrani and her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna murdered Sheena Bora and he gave the chronology of events before and after the murder.
When Advocate Sudeep Pasbola, who is representing Indrani, showed him a copy of his application to make a confessional statement before a magistrate, Rai said, “I cannot understand the contents of the application.”
He further said, “I cannot recollect to whom and when I told that I want to become a prosecution witness. I cannot recollect whether I told anyone about becoming a prosecution witness.”
He said, “I don’t remember if anyone took my signatures on a document and that I said I wanted to become a prosecution witness. I have not told anyone that I wanted to become a prosecution witness. They wrote it down for me and I read and signed it. I don’t remember telling anyone that I wanted to become an approver. Don’t remember anyone writing it down or typing it for me and making me sign it to become an approver.”
When Mr. Pasbola asked, “Did you ever tell your interrogator that I want to give a confessional statement,” Rai said, “I have not said anything.” He said he could not confirm if he wrote a letter to the magistrate on September 26, 2015 requesting permission to make a confessional statement. “I did send the letter, but I can’t remember the date,” he said.
Rai also admitted that he does not possess a copy of the letter. He said he remembers handing over a letter to the jail officials about the Sheena Bora case.
Rai said, “I did not ever make a request for a confession in that case nor did I write to the magistrate that I want to make a confession about the crime. When I came to the jail I thought of writing this letter.” He further said, “I don’t remember the magistrate asking me whether any officer or someone assured me that if I confess then I will be made an approver in the case and my sentence would be reduced.”
‘Not aware of benefits’
Rai said, “I am aware today that I am a prosecution witness and I got to know this two to four months after being jailed. I am not aware that I will be acquitted from the case and will not serve any sentence for becoming a prosecution witness.
“I was not told by the judge about the benefits of becoming a prosecution witness.” His cross examination will continue on August 7.
