Netflix has postponed the release of its documentary series, “The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth,” following a request from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to the Bombay High Court for a stay. The CBI asserts that the series, delving into the Sheena Bora murder case, could prejudice the ongoing trial. In response, Netflix has agreed not to air the show until February 29, the next court hearing date, and has offered to arrange a screening for the CBI and judges.
The Sheena Bora Murder Case
The Sheena Bora murder case unfolded on August 21, 2015, when Mumbai police arrested Shyamwar Rai for illegal firearm possession. During interrogation, Rai confessed to involvement in Bora’s murder three years prior. He implicated Indrani Mukerjea, along with her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna, in the crime. Bora, Indrani’s daughter, was allegedly murdered in Bandra and her body disposed of in Raigad district. Indrani’s current husband, Peter Mukerjea, was later arrested by the CBI, which alleged the murder was motivated by disapproval of Bora’s relationship with Peter’s son Rahul.
The CBI’s Objection to the Netflix Docuseries
The CBI raised objections to the release of the Netflix series, arguing it could influence the ongoing trial. The agency expressed concern that the show’s claims of “new revelations and unprecedented access” might mislead the public and witnesses. Additionally, the CBI contended that the series could glorify Indrani’s innocence, potentially impacting witness testimonies. Notably, the inclusion of witnesses like Mikhail and Vidhie, Indrani’s children and key figures in the case, was seen as a breach of Indrani’s bail conditions. Despite Netflix’s initial resistance, the streaming platform agreed to postpone the release until the next court hearing, citing concerns about pre-censorship.