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Synopsis

The Bombay High Court has asked the OTT platform Netflix to organize a special pre-screening of the docuseries based on Indrani Mukherjea, the prime accused in the Sheena Bora Death Case, for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The division bench of the high court, led by Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Manjusha Deshpande was hearing a plea filed by the CBI seeking a stay on the docuseries scheduled to be aired on Netflix tomorrow.

The CBI approached the high court after the Special CBI Court in Mumbai declined to halt the release, citing a lack of jurisdiction.

The CBI argued that the docuseries should only be released after the trial concludes to prevent potential impact on the trial proceedings and public perception.

Furthermore, the CBI contended that the trailer included interviews with two witnesses, but it remained uncertain about the total number of witnesses featured in the series.

Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam, representing Netflix, argued that imposing a stay on the series would amount to pre-censorship.

Kadam pointed out that out of the five witnesses in the case, three were yet to be examined by the Special CBI Court. He further mentioned that among the witnesses were Indrani's son, Mikhael, and her daughter, Vidhie Mukerjea.

However, the bench said that it would be appropriate for CBI officers, CBI lawyers, and Additional Solicitor General Devang Vyas to view the docuseries before its release.

“Why should CBI not be allowed to see the series? She (Indrani Mukherjea) is an accused. The series is her depiction of what happened. One of the bail conditions is not to tamper with evidence. When you sort of interview people in support of your case. We are asking you, before we hear you, why cannot CBI watch the series? What is the difficulty in sharing the docuseries?” the court said.

The high court further said that the release of the docuseries could be deferred by a week till the CBI watches the docuseries.

“They should be permitted to view. The release can be deferred by a week, heavens are not going to fall. If you cannot take instructions and make a statement, then we will pass this order,” the court said.

Kadam eventually agreed and made a statement that the series would not be aired until the next hearing on February 29.

The documentary, titled “The Indrani Mukerjea Story: The Buried Truth,” revolves around the disappearance of 25-year-old Sheena Bora.

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.