The official, requesting anonymity, today said former media baron Peter Mukerjea, arrested yesterday by CBI, had played "a major role" in the murder of Sheena, his step- daughter.
Peter, who is in CBI custody till November 23, is the husband of Indrani, the prime accused in the case.
Money, Sheena's relationship with Peter's son Rahul and blackmailing of Indrani by her daughter were the three motives for the latter's killing, he said.
In 2008, Sheena and Rahul got into relationship, which was objected to by both Indrani as well as Peter, he said.
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Indrani and Peter's act of selling the flat had enraged Sheena who subsequently started "blackmailing" her mother. Sheena told Indrani if she doesn't give her a three BHK flat in Mumbai, she would "expose" her and reveal the fact that she was her daughter and not sister, said the officer.
Fed up with Sheena's constant blackmailing, Indrani and Peter, in 2011, made a will stating that if the couple die, then Vidhie, Indrani's daughter with her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, would be the owner of their entire property, he said.
Due to all these reasons, a conspiracy was hatched to get rid of Sheena for which Indrani's driver Shyamvar Rai was also roped in and offered Rs 2 lakh to help execute the murder plan, he said.
Accused Indrani, Rai and Khanna are currently in judicial custody, while Peter is in CBI remand.