Seeking bail for former media baron Peter Mukerjea arrested in Sheena Bora murder case, his lawyer today argued in a court here that mere calls between him and his wife and prime accused Indrani Mukerjea during the period when the crime took place did not make him a conspirator.
The motive attributed by CBI for the crime (financial transactions) also was not believable, the lawyer added.
Advocate Aabad Ponda told the special CBI court here that Indrani had spoken to several people during the period, not just Peter (who was then abroad).
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"Indrani had even called (senior IPS officer) Deven Bharti. If these are not objectionable, then why are Peter's calls objectionable?" the lawyer said.
On April 28, 2012, (four days after Sheena's murder) eight calls were made to Bharti, he claimed.
"He (Bharti) even did not mention it in his statement, CBI doesn't find it objectionable....I am not suggesting that Bharti is part of the conspiracy," advocate Ponda said.
CBI, in the charge-sheet, has pointed out several calls between Peter and Indrani during the concerned period to show that Peter too was party to the conspiracy to kill Sheena.
"Peter is a murderer just because he spoke to his family?" advocate Ponda said, adding that Indrani and her secretary Kajal too had several telephonic conversations.
The arguments will continue on Monday.
Peter's bail application had been rejected once earlier.
He was arrested on November 19. Other arrested accused are Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and her driver Shyamvar Rai.
Indrani, Rai and Khanna allegedly strangled Sheena (24), Indrani's daughter from earlier relationship, in a car in April 2012. The crime came to light last August. According to CBI, the crime was linked to financial transactions.
The agency in its charge sheet countered Peter's arguments
that he was implicated in the case and was not aware about the alleged murder and claimed that the ex-media baron was very much in the know of the conspiracy hatched by Indrani to kill Sheena.
CBI further claimed Peter was also informed by Indrani on selection of spot for disposal of the body.
According to the charge sheet, Indrani and Peter were against the "intimate relationship" between Sheena and Rahul, Peter's son from his first wife. He often used to quarrel with Rahul on the issue as he didn't approve of the relationship between Sheena and his son.
As per the charge sheet, Peter always dissuaded Khanna's daughter from Indrani, Vidhie from having any contact with Rahul and Sheena.
Peter was initially fine with the relationship between Sheena and Rahul believing it would wane eventually over financial pressures.
In its charge sheet filed on November 19 last year, CBI had named Indrani, Khanna and Rai as accused in the case.
Peter was arrested on November 19 last year for his alleged role in the murder plot. A charge sheet was filed against him by CBI on February 16.
