GUWAHATI, April 24: The Supreme Court of India on April 24 refused to entertain a fresh application by Indrani Mukerjea seeking permission to travel abroad, directing her to approach the trial court where proceedings in the Sheena Bora murder case are currently underway.
A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh told senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani that the apex court had already clarified its position in an earlier order. The bench observed that its previous direction was meant solely to allow the petitioner to seek appropriate relief before the trial court and reiterated that it would not consider such requests at this stage.
During the hearing, Jethmalani argued that there was an element of urgency and that Mukerjea’s earlier plea had not been adjudicated on merits. However, the court declined to revisit the matter, granting her liberty to move the trial court. It further directed that any such application be decided in line with its earlier observations and, considering the urgency, be disposed of within four weeks.
The development follows a February 12, 2025 order in which the apex court had dismissed Mukerjea’s previous request to travel overseas, citing the absence of assurance regarding her return. At the time, it upheld a decision of the Bombay High Court that had set aside a special court’s permission allowing her to visit Spain and the United Kingdom for a short duration.
The high court had intervened after the Central Bureau of Investigation challenged the trial court’s decision. The Supreme Court had also directed that the trial, which was then at an advanced stage, be expedited and concluded within a year, while permitting Mukerjea to approach the trial court for travel-related relief.
Mukerjea was arrested in August 2015 after the killing of Sheena Bora came to light and was granted bail in May 2022 after spending more than six years in custody. She has denied all charges.
According to the prosecution, Bora, aged 24, was allegedly strangled in a car in Mumbai in April 2012 by Mukerjea, her driver Shyamvar Rai and former husband Sanjeev Khanna. Her body was later burnt in a forest in Raigad district. The case surfaced after Rai reportedly disclosed details during questioning in an unrelated Arms Act case.
Mukerjea’s former husband, Peter Mukerjea, was also arrested for alleged involvement in the conspiracy. All accused are currently out on bail as the trial continues.
