INDRANI Mukerjea, a prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, claimed before the trial court on Friday that accused- turned- approver and her former driver, Shyamvar Rai, had demanded R 50 lakh from her to not testify against her.
Mukerjea made the submission while arguing in person on her bail application before special CBI Judge J C Jagdale.
While deposing in the court, Rai narrated a different sequence of events from what he had told the Mumbai police [ who probed the case initially], she said.
u201c If he is not going to state important details then what is the role of an approver?u201d she asked.
The sequence of events as presented by the prosecution was not supported by call data records, Indrani argued.
Before Rai turned approver, he was lodged at Arthur Road Jail, and they used to travel to the court in the same van, she said. u201c Before his deposition he had a conversation with me, u2018 R 50 lakh dedo kuch nahi bolungau2019 ( give me R 50 lakh, I wonu2019t reveal anything),u201d she alleged.
u201c He came down to R 10 lakh and then to R 5 lakh... but I didnu2019t budge. If I had to influence him I could have done then. But I didnu2019t budge and said jo bolna hai bolo ( say whatever you want),u201d Indrani claimed.
Indrani also pointed out the Bombay High Courtu2019s order on Thursday, granting bail to co- accused and her former husband Peter Mukerjea. u201c If the high court doesnu2019t feel that he could influence witnesses, why should this court ( feel that she would),u201d she asked.
The prosecution had opposed bail for her, stating that she could influence witnesses, especially Rahul, Peter Mukerjeau2019s son from her earlier marriage. u201c Peter is a more influential, prominent person in society, he is the father of Rahul,u201d she said. It is to be noted that Peter Mukerjea is still in jail as the HC stayed the bail order for six weeks.
u201c It is ridiculous that I committed murder for money thinking that if she [ Sheena] gets married to Rahul, Peter will give the property to Rahul.
More than 75 per cent of immovable property is in my name and rest is in the joint name with me.... so logically I should kill Peter,u201d she added.
Agencies Shyamvar Rai demanded R 50L to keep his mouth shut: Indrani Indrani Mukerjea
