Bombay HC Clears Way for Release of Netflix Docu-Series on Indrani Mukerjea

The Bombay High Court stated on Thursday that it found no issues with the prosecution or the trial depicted in the Netflix documentary series about Indrani Mukerjea, who is accused of murdering her daughter Sheena Bora. A division bench consisting of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Manjusha Deshpande dismissed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)’s petition seeking a halt on the series’ release until the trial concludes.

This decision clears the path for the series, titled ‘The Indrani Mukerjea Story: The Buried Truth’, to be released on the OTT platform Netflix. The bench confirmed that they had reviewed the series and did not find any elements that could prejudice the trial or the prosecution.

Last week, the bench instructed Netflix to conduct a special screening of the series for the concerned CBI officers and lawyers. Netflix agreed not to air the series until Thursday (February 29).

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Devang Vyas, representing the CBI, argued that the series could prejudice the administration of justice and fair trial by influencing public perception. However, the High Court observed that they had also watched the series and did not anticipate the CBI to persist in its demand against the series.

The bench stated, ”There is nothing in the series that goes against the prosecution or the trial. We tried to look at it in every single way, but honestly we did not find anything.” They noted that none of the witnesses interviewed in the series had spoken against the prosecution.

The court further emphasized that media trials and debates on ongoing cases are not uncommon, and there cannot be censorship of such discussions. They asserted that the judiciary relies solely on evidence presented before the court, regardless of public perception.

Regarding the portrayal of Indrani Mukerjea’s ex-husband, Peter Mukerjea, the bench declined to allow his intervention in the matter. Peter’s advocate, Manjula Rao, argued that the series depicted him unfairly, but the court suggested he file a separate suit if he wishes to pursue the matter.

The CBI had approached the High Court after a special court rejected its application against the series. According to the CBI, 89 out of the 237 witnesses have been examined so far in the trial court.

Sheena Bora was allegedly strangled to death in a car by Indrani, her former driver Shyamvar Rai, and former husband Sanjeev Khanna in April 2012. Bora was Indrani’s daughter from a previous relationship, and her body was burnt in a forest in the neighboring Raigad district.

The murder came to light in 2015 after Rai revealed about the killing following his arrest in another case. Indrani was arrested in August 2015 and was granted bail in May 2022. The other accused in the case, Rai, Khanna, and Peter Mukerjea, are also out on bail.