Shyamwar Rai can turn approver: CBI
MUMBAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) accepted on Monday Indrani Mukerjea’s driver Shyamwar Rai’s plea to turn approver in the Sheena Bora murder case.
The CBI, in their one-page reply, has said that Rai has, in a statement before the magistrate, specifically stated that his confession was made voluntarily and without any pressure, fear and instigation. “Subject to the condition that if the accused makes full and true disclosure of all the facts of the crime, the prosecution has no objection in granting pardon to the accused,” read the CBI’s reply.
The court will now decide on Rai’s plea as per his statement given before the magistrate and other evidence on record.
Indrani’s lawyer Gunjan Mangala sought time to file the reply on Rai’s application and said they need to argue before the court before an order is passed. Peter Mukerjea has also sought a copy of Rai’s confessional statement. After hearing all the advocates, special judge HS Mahajan said the court will hear all the advocates on June 9 and decide on Rai’s plea on the same day.
Rai, whose arrest last year led the police to unearth Sheena Bora’s murder, had told a special CBI court on May 11 that he wants to turn approver in the case. Rai had, in the first week of May, forwarded a two-page letter to the special CBI court stating his intention to reveal all about how Sheena was murdered.
He was produced before the court, where he sought for pardon. When questioned by the court during the previous hearing, Rai said, “I am aware of the facts connected to the commission of offence of killing Sheena Bora by strangulation.” He said he is ready to tell the truth to the court, as he “regrets what happened”.