Sheena Bora Murder Case: Supreme Court Directs Trial Conclusion In 9 Months

The Supreme Court has allowed a nine-month extension for the completion of the trial in the Sheena Bora murder case.

A letter was received by the Supreme Court from the Special Judge, CBI, City Civil & Sessions Court, Greater Bombay seeking extension of time to conclude the trial.

"Considering the prayer made, the time to conclude the trial stands extended by 9 months while making it clear that no further prayer seeking extension of time will be entertained," a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and NK Singh has ordered.

The Bench also granted liberty to Indrani Mukerjea, the prime accused in the case and mother of the deceased Sheena Bora, to file a fresh application seeking permission to travel abroad. "Liberty is granted to the accused person to file a fresh application seeking permission to travel abroad as mentioned in order dated 12.02.2025," the order reads.

Indrani Mukerjea was arrested in 2015 on allegations of murdering her daughter, Sheena Bora, with the assistance of her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, present husband Peter Mukerjea, and driver Shyamvar Rai.

In 2021, the high court rejected Indrani’s bail plea, but she was granted bail by the Supreme Court in 2022.

Mukherjea had filed this SLP challenging the order passed by Bombay High Court in November 2021 which had dismissed her application for bail. She has been charged for committing murder of her daughter after entering into criminal conspiracy to kidnap and kill her. Her husband Peter Mukherjee is a co-accused in the case. The allegation against Mukherjea is that she murdered her daughter Sheena Bora in view of Bora’s live-in relationship with Rahul Mukherjee, the son of her husband Peter Mukherjee from his earlier marriage.

Mukul Rohatgi, Senior Advocate, appearing for Mukherjea had told the Supreme Court that she has been in custody since six and a half years and she would be entitled for a special dispensation under Section 437 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Rohatgi told the court that there are 237 witness out of whom only 68 had been examined. He informed the court that the presiding officer before who Mukherjea’s case is being heard was on leave June 7 2021 to May 4, 2022. Rohatgi submitted that trial will not complete soon in view of the large number of witnesses yet to be examined and that Peter Mukherjee has been released on bail in 2020.

The court on hearing the submissions of the parties noted that “admittedly petitioner has been in custody for the last 6.5 years”. The court held that taking into account that the petitioner is in custody for 6.5 years and even if 50% of the witnesses are let go by the prosecution, the trial would still not be complete. Therefore the court has granted bail to Mukherjea subject to certain conditions. The court has also made it clear that it has not expressed any opinion on merits of the case.

Case Title: INDRANI MUKERJEA vs. CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION & ANR.

Bench: Justices Sundresh and Singh

Order Date: March 16, 2026