- Indrani Mukerjea’s driver Shyamvar Rai, who is a witness in the Sheena Bora murder case, was examined by the CBI counsel on Friday
- He said that Indrani told him that she wanted to kill both Sheena and Mikhail
- The driver also alleged that Indrani had paid him money for helping her with the murder
- Bora was allegedly killed in 2012, but the case came to light in 2015, after Rai’s arrest
- Indrani Mukerjea and her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna were arrested for the murder of Sheena
Shyamvar Rai, the driver who turned approver in the Sheena Bora murder case, told the CBI court on Friday that Indrani Mukerjea wanted to kill both Sheena and Mikhail Bora.
Rai gave a blow-by-blow account of the details that allegedly led to Sheena's murder, while being examined by the CBI counsel – starting from the early days of his employment with the Mukerjeas right up to the murder of Sheena.
Shyamvar Rai started working for Peter and Indrani Mukerjea as a driver from 2004. But it was only in March 2009, he says, that Indrani first brought up her intention to kill Sheena Bora and her brother Mikhail.
Indrani allegedly asked Rai to set a trap for her son Mikhail Bora to lure him to Mumbai.
Madam asked me to call Mikhail and tell him that she had lots of money at home... She wanted me to ask him to come to Mumbai so that we could divide the money and have fun.
Indrani allegedly had money transferred to Rai and asked him to buy 6 medicines. This was allegedly later used to drug Sheena and Mikhail.
Madam poured the medicine into a partially filled Bisleri bottle and alcohol bottle and asked me to mix it up well... Indrani madam gave Sheena the Bisleri bottle with medicine in it to drink, she drank it.
When the medicine seemed to be taking effect, Shyamvar Rai said, after a point he saw Sheena turn silent and had her eyes closed. Then Indrani allegedly started strangling her.
I covered Sheena’s mouth, she bit my right thumb. I removed my hand immediately.
Madam stuffed Sheena into the bag, I put the bag in the garage.
After stuffing Sheena’s body into a bag, Shyamvar Rai said he then went up to Indrani’s apartment and saw Mikhail drinking in the drawing room.
He (Mikhail) was drinking the same liquor that was mixed with the medicines. Sanjeev Khanna said that it will be troublesome to take two bodies simultaneously to two different spots.
The trio then set out to take Sheena’s body to Pen village in Raigad district, a spot that was earlier recced by Indrani and Shyamvar Rai.
“We took Sheena out, I held her by the knee and we took her body and kept it in the dense jungle,” he said.
Soon after that, the trio headed back to Bandra in Mumbai, where Indrani allegedly asked Rai to remove all traces of Sheena from the hired car.
She (Indrani) asked me to get the vehicle cleaned up properly. Madam told me not to disclose this matter to anybody. Otherwise, I will have to face consequences.
The defence will now cross examine Shyamvar Rai from Tuesday onwards to point out loopholes in his story.
Full Transcript of the Hearing As Is
(As the proceedings started in the court, the judge asked Rai to not be afraid of anyone. The court asked the IO to step out as he records his statement. Below is the full statement.)
Kavita Patil. CBI prosecutor: Where do you stay?
Rai: In MP, Shinwada Zilla in Damua village.
CBI: What’s your education?
Rai: Till 10th standard.
CBI: In which medium and where?
Rai: In my village in Hindi medium.
CBI: Why didn't you study beyond tenth?
Rai: I was not interested in education post 10th standard.
CBI: What did you do after leaving your studies?
Rai: I used to work as a labourer and subsequently, I also learnt how to drive.
CBI: What did you do after taking your driving lessons?
Rai: My brother went to Mumbai and sent me a letter asking me to come to the city. Thereafter, I came to Mumbai.
I started working at small places, got a driving licence and got a driver’s job. After my employer was transferred to another place, I learnt from someone I knew that Peter Mukerjea was looking for a driver.
CBI: Which year?
Rai: In 2004.
CBI: What did you do after that?
Rai: I came to know this from another driver called Prashant Chakravarthy. He arranged my meeting with Peter.
CBI: What did Prashant do after that?
Rai: He made me meet Indrani.
CBI: Where?
Rai: In Marlowe building.
CBI: Where is Marlow?
Rai: Worli.
CBI: What is there in Marlowe?
Rai: Their flat.
CBI: Who did you meet in the Marlow building flat?
Rai: Indrani and Peter.
CBI: Who is Indrani?
Rai: Peter Sir's wife.
CBI: What happened after that?
Rai: Madam said that she will pay me Rs 10,000 as salary. My services would be that of a driver at INX media. Madam said that I will have to pick up her daughter and drop her to school.
CBI: Did you start working after that?
Rai: Yes, I started working thereafter.
CBI: What did you do after that?
Rai: I started working as a driver at the office. Thereafter, Indrani Madam’s sister Sheena also came to Mumbai. I used to work for Sheena too.
CBI: What after that?
Rai: Meanwhile, the employees at the office kept changing.
CBI: When did the employees keep changing?
Rai: Till 2009, employees were constant but post that they kept changing.
CBI: What happened during 2009-10 that employees started changing?
Rai: In 2009 and 2010, the entire family shifted abroad.
CBI: Who all went abroad?
Rai: Indrani Mukerjea, Peter and Vidhie. Three employees remained at INX office.
CBI: Names?
Rai: Rajat Sharma, Madam’s Secretary
Pradeep Waghmare, who used to work in the office and at home.
Peon and myself
I used to work as a driver. Whenever they came to Mumbai, I used to take a car from Faisal Bhai and drive that.
CBI: Who was the other person?
Rai: One lady called Maya Singh used to work as a cook at home.
CBI: What happened after that?
Rai: On 19 March 2012, Kajal Sharma, the office secretary, told me that Indrani Madam has asked her to make a Skype account on my name. Accordingly, a Skype account was made. ID was Shyamvar Rai, but I can't recollect the password.
CBI: After that?
Rai: Thereafter, we started talking over Skype, mostly on the INX office LCD.
CBI: Who were you connected to?
Rai: Kajal madam left after connecting me. I was alone in office. Indrani madam told me on Skype that I am a very trustworthy and asked me not to divulge anything to anybody. She assured me that she will take responsibility for my child's education and that my medical expenses will also be covered. My job will also be continued, I was promised.
She said Sheena and Mikhail were trying to defame her by calling her their mother after there were some property dispute. She also told me that Sheena was having an affair with Rahul and that she wants to kill both Sheena and Mikhail. She assured me that I didn’t have to worry and that I just had to do my job as a driver.
She told me that one person would be coming from Kolkata to kill them.
Later early during April, I again received a Skype call from her. She told me that she would be coming to Mumbai and instructed me to get a car from Faisal Bhai to pick her up. Kajal Madam gave me Rs 5,000 and her flight details. I took the car from Faisal Bhai and went to Worli naka to get a fuel refill. After I picked Madam up from the airport, she instructed me to drive to Marlow. As we reached, Indrani Madam asked me to accompany her to her flat. After I went upstairs, Madam asked me to call Mikhail and tell him that she had a lot of money at home, and ask him to come to Mumbai so that they could divide the money and have fun.
I called Mikhail and told him what Madam had asked me to, but he refused. He said he didn't want to come.
Thereafter, Madam stayed in Mumbai for 2-3 days and before leaving, gave me a prescription of medicines.
After 2-3 days, I again received a Skype call when she told me to wait near her Marlow building gate at 11 am.
She said that a man, who had come from Kolkata, would give me a parcel. She asked me to keep that parcel in the garage and buy six bottles of the medicine, mentioned in the prescription she had given me, from Rakhange. I was also told to call her after I reached Delhi with the medicines.
As per Indrani Madam’s instructions, Kajal gave me Rs 12,000. On the second day, I was standing near the Marlow building gate. One person arrived and asked me my name in Bengali and gave me the parcel. I told him that I have kept the parcel behind the cupboard in the garage. After that, I went to Rakhangi medical store and bought six bottles of the medicine I was asked to. Later, I took a general train ticket and reached Delhi via Nagpur.
When I reached Delhi and called her up, she asked me to stay in Delhi. On the second day, I again called her and Madam asked me to take a flight immediately and come back to Mumbai. I told her that I’m short of money and she said she would see what could be done. Later, Kajal Madam deposited Rs 10,000 in my account and I called one travel agent at Lower Parel, who sent me my ticket on my cellphone.
I flew back to Mumbai taking a Jet airways flight. I received a Skype call from Indrani Madam and she told me to take the medicines and take a flight to Kolkata. She asked me to hand it over to a man waiting outside the airport and that he already had my number and would call me.
She asked me to head back to Mumbai after I gave away the medicines. On being instructed by Madam, Kajal Madam again deposited Rs 20,000 in my account. I booked a ticket through the same travel agent and went back to Mumbai.
When I reached Kolkata airport, I got a call, met a person outside the airport, handed him over the medicines and headed back inside the airport.
I took a flight to Indore and from there took a train to Mumbai via Bhopal.
I again received a Skype call from Indrani Madam. She told me that she would be coming to Mumbai on 23 April. She instructed me to hire a car from Faisal Bhai and again pick her up at the airport. She asked me to hire a car on 22nd itself and head to Lonavala taking the old Mumbai Pune Road, and then come back to Mumbai.
Kajal Madam gave me Rs 5,000 and gave me Indrani Madam’s flight details. I went to Faisal Bhai and hired a car. It was a Chevrolet car with black tinted glass.
I went to Lonavala on the 22nd in the car and then, I came back to Mumbai via Khopoli and parked it at Marlow building.
Early morning I proceeded to the airport. I met Indrani Madam at the airport and she directed me to proceed towards Marlow building. On the way, she told me that she has to kill Mikhail and Sheena in two days. When we reached Marlow building, Madam told me to wait and said that she will just be back and proceeded towards her flat.
She returned after some time and told me to head to Lonavala by the old Mumbai-Pune road. We proceeded to Lonavala and she told me to stop at a place and asked me to bring tea. She and I had tea and she then asked me to purchase a 20 litre can. So, I bought a 20 litre plastic can from a shop.
CBI: What did you do with it?
Rai: As per her instruction, I kept the can in the boot space of the car. We proceeded to Khandala. At Khandala, she asked me to stop at a place. She got off the car and surveyed the place and then sat back. She then told me that this place will be fit for Mikhail. Then she directed me to Khopoli. At that time, she was conversing with Mikhail over the phone. When we reached Khopoli, she asked me to proceed towards Pen village. When we started moving towards the main road, she stopped at two points and then again stopped at another place. I noticed a small hill on the left side and a stream on our right. She asked me to remember this spot. She told me this will be a good spot for Sheena.
She then directed me to head back home. As we proceeded home, she was talking to Peter over the phone, referring to Sheena and Mikhail.
Here the defence objected, saying Rai is changing his account, when he allegedly earlier said that Indrani was talking to Sheena and Mikhail.
She was talking in English and stated that it was a good place and well done. She instructed me to stop at Dadar Plaza and said she'll be back soon. I tried to find her but I couldn't locate her. The second time I spotted her near a bus stop. Madam was standing near the bus stop with another man who had two big bags in his hands. Madam asked me to open the car boot and that man kept the bags in the boot space. She then sat in the car and directed me to head home to Marlow. When we reached, she asked me to keep the bags in the garage and asked me to rest in the drivers' room and proceeded to her flat.
Madam then came near the car on 24 April 2012 and told me to proceed towards Rakhangi medical stores. I proceeded towards the medical store and when we reached there, I parked along the side. She went to the store and then also went to a wine shop near the medical store. She handed over all the purchases to me and told me that she will be back after visiting a nearby parlour. I saw what she bought, there were six plastic bottles of medicines, gloves, a full bottle of McDowells vodka and two small Bisleri bottles. She then directed me to proceed towards century bazaar in Worli. She asked me to stop near a Bata store and asked me what my foot size is. I told her it's size 8. She then asked me to take a reverse turn and return. Once I reached, she handed me a plastic bag which had three pairs of shoes.
Then she went to a saree shop and bought two sarees and asked me to head back home. When we reached the building, she got off the car, took out the packet containing the medicines and asked me to bring the bottle of alcohol to her flat. I took the liquor to her flat. She asked me to open the liquor and Bisleri bottles. Then madam poured the contents of the bottle partially into the sink and poured the medicine into the bottle. She mixed the two and also did the same with the Bisleri bottle. She then instructed me to shake the bottles well so that it gets mixed. She then asked me to keep the bottles on the table.
Then she asked me to to put the Bisleri bottle mixed with medicine in the car.
I kept it in the pocket behind the driver’s seat in the car. In the evening, she came downstairs and asked me to drive to Bandra. She asked me to drive slowly as there is ample time. Sheena and another man from Kolkata would arrive there. When we reached Bandra, she asked me take a round from National college and park the car. I parked the car and madam got off.
In some time, a person arrived. I too was at the spot. Madam then told me that the man is Sanjeev Khanna sahab. Madam was doing something with her cellphone and Khanna asked her whether she is carrying her mobile. Madam smiled and said something to him in English.
After a while, another car came and stopped nearby. In that car, Rahul and Sheena were there. Rahul noticed all of us. Sheena got off the car and came to madam, who hugged her. Madam then gave her the Bisleri which had medicine mixed with it to drink. She drank a bit, then Sheena and madam headed towards a saree shop called Amarsons. I took the driver's seat. Sanjeev Khanna sat next to me in the front seat. Madam and Sheena sat behind me. Madam was carrying the bag from Amarsons. Indrani madam sat in the car from the left side and pushed to the right. Sheena sat on the left.
The three of them were speaking in English. Madam then asked me to drive the car towards Pali Hill. I took a right and he added towards Pali Hill. After that, all the three became silent and madam asked me to stop. I saw through the centre mirror that Sheena was sitting quietly with her eyes closed.
I parked the vehicle on the left side lane. There was a wall to our left side. Sanjeev Khanna got off the front seat and sat beside Sheena. Madam then told me to press Sheena's mouth. I then turned from my seat and moved towards Sheena and saw that Sanjeev Khanna was grabbing Sheena's hair and Indrani madam was strangling Sheena with her hands. I covered Sheena's mouth, she bit my right thumb. I removed my hand immediately. My thumb was bleeding and I went back and sat on my seat. I could hear Sheena weeping and making gagging sounds. After a while, everything was quiet. Sheena became quiet. Sanjeev Khanna then came and sat down beside me. Madam asked me to take out the car.
After going a certain distance, madam told something to Sanjeev Khanna in English. There were references to Mikhail and Rahul and Worli. She directed me to stop. Sanjeev Khanna alighted from the car and Sheena was lying in the backseat. Indrani madam then sat on Sheena's face and told me that Sheena got a 3 BHK flat now.
She then directed me to Taj Mahal hotel. In the meantime, Sheena was put down from her seat in the car. I stopped the car at Taj Lands End hotel. This hotel is in Bandra. She then left saying she'll be back soon. There was a garden there, I parked my car there. I received madam's call and then went back towards Taj and entered the hotel. She asked me to head home and told me that Rahul is calling Sheena's phone again and again. She messaged him.
There is a garden near Marlow buildings, she asked me to stop there. Then Sanjeev Khanna came and sat beside me. I was then asked to go back home. I pulled the car into the garage and she asked me to take out the bag from the boot space. I took out the bag. She asked me to open the garage. Madam stuffed Sheena into the bag. I then put the bag in the garage. Madam went to her flat and Khanna left the building. I went back to the driver's room.
After sometime, I received a call from ma'am. She asked me to go to a restaurant and buy food. I went to the restaurant, placed the order and spoke to the waiter. Madam also asked me to bring dinner for Sanjeev Khanna. I collected the food. Sanjeev Khanna and I then went upstairs. I had met him standing below the building. I went to the flat, rang the bell and the door opened. I told madam that Sanjeev Khanna sir is here.
He went to the terrace and madam said something in English.
She asked me to the keep the food on the table. I saw Mikhail sitting on the table and having liquor.
CBI: What was he drinking ?
Rai: He was drinking the same liquor that was mixed with the medicines.
CBI: Where were the bottles ?
Rai: The same bottles were kept on the table. Then I came and kept the food on the table. Then madam asked me to go to the terrace. I then went to the terrace. Then madam joined me and Sanjeev Khanna on the terrace. Then both Sanjeev Khanna and Indrani madam kept talking in English. Then madam told me that Mikhail drinks so much liquor still he was not intoxicated. Then Sanjeev Khanna said that it's okay and we will take care of Mikhail after some time. Then Sanjeev Khanna said that it will be troublesome to take two bodies simultaneously to two different spots.
Thereafter madam asked me to go as we have to proceed in the morning. Thereafter Sanjeev Khanna and I came down from the flat.
I went to the driver’s room and Sanjeev Khanna went out from the gate. I could not sleep in the driver’s room. At about 4:00 am on 25 April, madam called and asked me to come near the car. I got ready and went near the car. Indrani and Sanjeev Khanna were standing near the car. Both of them were carrying small bags.
They asked me to open the car and the garage. They placed their bags in the car. She asked me to open the garage and asked me to bring out the bag in which body of Sheena was kept.
Myself and Sanjeev Khanna brought the bag and kept the bag on the backseat behind the driver's seat. Then she asked me to keep the 20 litre plastic can in the boot space.
Thereafter Sanjeev Khanna and Indrani took Sheena out of the bag and placed her on the seat and asked me to keep the bag in the boot space.
Thereafter they kept Sheena on the seat in a crouched position behind the driver's seat. Madam sat beside Sheena and I sat on the driver's seat and Sanjeev Khanna sat in the front seat next to me.
Madam then asked me to switch off my mobile. She directed to me to proceed to Pen Road. Accordingly I proceeded towards Pen road.
She instructed me to stop the car near a petrol pump. Accordingly I stopped the car.
Then Sanjeev Khanna proceeded to take petrol along with the 20 litre can.
At that time, Indrani madam applied lipstick on Sheena's lips and tidied her hair. Then Sanjeev Khanna brought a half-filled can. Madam then gave me the shoe from Bata store and asked me to wear it. I wore it accordingly.
She gave another pair of shoes to Sanjeev Khanna. And she wore the third pair of shoes herself.
She directed me to proceed on the main road.
We reached Pen Road and she asked me to stop at the spot which was visited earlier. She asked me to take a U-turn and park the car. Accordingly I took a U-turn and parked the car.
Thereafter myself, Indrani and Sanjeev Khanna alighted from the car. A motorcyclist crossed us. We took Sheena out. I held Sheena by the knee. We took her body and kept it in the thick jungle.
Madam instructed me to take the small bag. Madam took out the saree and blouse. Madam took the saree and blouse and kept it on Sheena. Kept the bag on the body as well. The same bag was used to keep the body of Sheena.
Then Sanjeev Khanna took the can from the car and came near the body. He emptied the entire can on the body. The can was left near the body. Then Indrani madam pulled a matchbox from the bag's pocket and set the body on fire.
The body went up in flames. After we sat in the car madam told me to head to Bandra. Then we left from the spot and headed back to Mumbai (Bandra).
She told me that they will hire a rickshaw and proceed to the airport. And she also asked me to get the vehicle cleaned properly.
On the way back, she asked me to return the pair of shoes. Accordingly I returned the shoes to her. Then we reached Mehboob studio in Bandra. We had stopped near coffee day. Madam asked me to get three coffees. We had coffee.
Then Madam told me not to disclose this matter to anybody. Otherwise, I will have to face consequences.
She gave me the parcel and told me to keep it with me, she will tell me later what to do with it. After that madam and Sanjeev Khanna alighted from the car. I came back to Worli. I got the vehicle cleaned at a place in Worli. The Amarsons carry bag with the saree was taken away by madam.
Madam took the Bata shoes away as well.
Sheena had one bag and mobile which madam took with her. After getting the car cleaned at Worli I left the car at Marlow in Worli.
Another bag was in the garage. Then I went to the flat. Pradeep Waghmare had already cleaned the flat. Then I told Pradeep Waghmare that there is a bag that madam wants disposed off and asked him if he wanted to take away the bag.
The bag was in the garage and I gave the bag to Pradeep Waghmare after which I went home.
The parcel from Calcutta which madam had given me, I left it in the garage.
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