Why would Peter want to kill Mikhail? asks Peter Mukerjea's lawyer

Mumbai: Former media baron Peter Mukerjea’s lawyer on Tuesday while arguing for bail told the Bombay high court that as per the prosecution’s case, there was a conspiracy to kill his wife Indrani Mukerjea’s daughter Sheena Bora and son Mikhail Bora (from an earlier relationship) because Peter was against his son Rahul’s relationship with Sheena. The lawyer asked as to why Peter would conspire to kill Mikhail when he was not connected with Rahul.

Peter’s advocate Abad Ponda claimed before Justice N.W. Sambre that as per the prosecution’s case, Indrani wanted to kill both her children because they were publicising that Indrani was their mother and she was afraid if Sheena married Rahul, she would get a bigger share of Peter’s property through Rahul.

Advocate Ponda also argued that the prosecution has claimed Peter became part of the conspiracy because he was against Rahul and Sheena’s relationship, but SMSes and e-mails exchanged between them show otherwise. In fact, he had sent an SMS blessing them on the day of their engagement. He also asked why Peter would want to kill Mikhail if he was only against Sheena and Rahul being together.

It was pointed out to the court that his former driver Shyamvar Rai, who allegedly participated in Sheena’s murder and now has turned approver, has not mentioned Peter’s involvement in his confessional statement. According to Peter he was in London when Sheena was murdered and the CBI is trying to link Peter with the murder on the grounds that he was constantly speaking to Indrani on the day and time of murder.

However according to advocate Ponda, the calls were “good morning” and “goodnight” calls. He also said though the CBI had produced call data record of phone calls between both husband and wife, there was no transcript of their conversation.
The CBI counsel will begin his arguments on Wednesday.