The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has yet again objected to media executive Peter Mukerjea’s bail application, saying there is a serious apprehension he will abscond as he is a British national.
The agency on Tuesday filed its reply in the Bombay High Court opposing the bail plea stating that “the Letters Rogatory (LRs) have been sent to three countries — Hong Kong, Singapore and USA — seeking financial information about the Mukerjeas. Replies to the LRs are awaited. Sufficient oral and documentary evidence and articles have come on record to prove allegations against Peter. Peter is an influential person and may tamper with the evidence and influence witnesses. There is also serious apprehension that Peter will abscond as he is a British national,” the affidavit said.
The affidavit submitted by the CBI read, “Peter Mukerjea along with the other accused entered into a criminal conspiracy to commit the heinous crime with a cool mind, in a premeditated and planned manner. Both Indrani and Peter were not happy with the love affair of Sheena and Rahul Mukerjea.” It also said, “In 2009, both Peter and Indrani with the help of a friend separated Rahul and Sheena.”
The CBI relied yet again on emails sent by Rahul to Peter on May 28, 2012, in which he mentions that Peter separated him and Sheena. The agency also relied on an email sent by Peter to Sheena on April 3, 2011 stating that he expected Rahul to start earning independently and make a decent living but instead, he got into a relationship.
The affidavit submitted by additional solicitor general Anil Singh said, “Peter Mukherjea had even told his friend that the Rahul-Sheena relationship was not ‘correct’. It clearly reflects that both Peter and Indrani were not happy with the relationship and tried to separate them. When their efforts to do so did not work, they (Peter and Indrani) hatched the conspiracy to murder Sheena.”
The agency also claims that Peter was in touch with all the accused prior to the murder, the day on which the murder took place and even after that. “On April 24, 2012, when Indrani messaged Sheena asking her to meet her, Indrani was in constant touch with Peter. After sending messages to Sheena, Indrani used to call Peter and speak at length. Even on the day when Indrani and Rai went to Raigad to dispose of Sheena’s body, Peter and Indrani were in constant touch,” the CBI affidavit said.
