This comes after the CP confirmed social ties with the Mukerjeas
Mumbai: The recently appointed Police Commissioner Ahmad Javed, on Friday, said he was acquainted with the Mukerjeas ‘socially and infrequently’. Not many hours later, the Devendra Fadnavis government transferred the Sheena Bora probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in light of delivering justice impartially. Indrani Mukerjea, who is the wife of the Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea, has been accused of murdering her daughter with her former husband Sanjeev Khanna. Along with Sanjeev Khanna and Indrani Mukerjea, their driver Shyamvar Rai is also in custody, who is accused of helping them dump the body, where it was discovered half-burnt in 2012. The body was later identified in 2015 after DNA tests.
An addition to an already twisted case, this transfer decision succeeded the transfer of former CP Rakesh Maria, who was in-charge of the probe until September 8. He was promoted suddenly, although a promotion was not in store for him for another three weeks. Having been criticized, the government had asked Maria to continue looking over the investigation, but Maria had refused so as to avoid conflict with Javed.
Ahmad Javed, in an interview, accepted that he had invited the Mukerjeas for parties during Eid at the Worli officers’ mess in 2014 and that they met during several other social outings. Reacting to the case transfer, he defended, “This is ,in any case, not a very old and thick relationship. Even if it was a family member or a friend of long, there is no question at all of the law not prevailing. I haven’t hidden anything from anybody. If the government feels so, they can transfer the case to another agency, There is the CID…” He also said that Peter Mukerjea had not contacted him at all as the case unveiled, proving that he was only a good friend.
As speculation over the decision grew on Friday, the additional chief secretary, Mr. K P Bakshi held a press conference to clear the air. He stated, ” A news report said Ahmad Javed was a friend of Peter Mukerjea..to avoid confusion amongst people and mistakes by local police, the government has decided to hand over the case to CBI and given them the right to take the investigation further, even beyond the murder. The decision was taken after DG Sanjeev Dayal submitted his report today. Since the case is not limited only to the murder—some economic issues are also coming forward— the government has decided to bring the truth out.” The initial investigation was said to have brought to light some financial inconsistencies, adding to the complications in the case. This is one of the prime reasons for the case shift and no government officers are going to be involved in the case further. However, CP Ahmad Javed has informed the CBI authorities of the progress in the case and the information from Rakesh Maria’s investigation has been passed.
Meanwhile, critics of the government are building their attacks by accusing the Chief Minister of inefficient handling of the murder probe. Said a former Director General of Police,” First, the CM shunted out Maria in the midst of the probe, and for a while, the entire probe came to a standstill after Maria refused to continue. Now, it has been entrusted to the CBI. It is inept handling of the situation at all levels.”
Mr. K P Bakshi has repeated that a comprehensive report of the progress has already been asked for and submitted to the home department. The CBI is now expected to handle the complex details of the case with utmost efficiency.
Source: The Times of India
Tags: Ahmad Javed Sheena Bora case
