Supreme Court Denies Indrani Mukerjea’s Request to Travel Abroad During Trial

The Supreme Court rejected the plea of Indrani Mukerjea, the accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, seeking permission to travel abroad while her trial is pending. The Court, however, directed the expeditious conclusion of the trial, setting a one-year deadline for its completion.

Background of the Case

• Indrani Mukerjea, a former media executive, has been accused of murdering her daughter, Sheena Bora, in 2012. Mukerjea had been in custody for approximately 6.5 years before being granted bail by the Supreme Court in 2022, based on the grounds that the trial was likely to conclude soon.
• In her application, Mukerjea sought permission to travel abroad to Spain for the purpose of executing her Will, which includes removing her ex-husband Peter Mukerjea from the records. Her counsel argued that the CBI Court, while granting her bail, had previously allowed her to travel abroad with permission from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Court's Decision

• The petition, filed by Mukerjea, was against the order passed by the Bombay High Court on September 27, 2024, which had denied her request to travel abroad. Justice Shyam Chandak of the High Court had rejected the plea, stating that her request to travel for administrative purposes such as paying property taxes, updating her bank accounts, and executing her Will was not justified.
• During the Supreme Court hearing, Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal raised concerns about the potential risk of Mukerjea not returning to India if granted permission to travel abroad. Justice Sundresh remarked, "There is no guarantee that you will come back," emphasizing the uncertainty of her return.

Arguments and Rejection

• Mukerjea’s counsel clarified that biometric registration was required in Spain, something that the Power of Attorney holder could not perform. The counsel also pointed out that 92 witnesses were still to be examined, and Mukerjea had not traveled abroad in the last 10 years.
• Despite these arguments, the Court was not swayed and rejected her request. Justice Sundresh ordered that the trial be concluded within six months, stating that only after its completion would travel be considered. Justice Bindal added that Mukerjea’s Power of Attorney in Spain could manage her matters, making the need for her physical presence unnecessary.
• The Supreme Court concluded, "Considering the fact that the trial is ongoing, we are not inclined to consider the request at this stage." The bench emphasized the importance of expediting the trial, and ordered that it be completed within one year.

Case Title: Indrani Mukerjea vs. Central Bureau of Investigation.