The docuseries on Indrani Mukerjea, the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, was to be released on Friday, February 23.
Streaming platform Netflix on Thursday assured the Bombay High Court that it would not air the documentary ‘The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth’ till February 29 when the court will hear a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the same. Netflix also said that it will arrange to screen the series for representatives of the central agency and show it to the judges.
The docu-series on Mukerjea, the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, was to be released on Friday, February 23.
A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Manjusha A Deshpande was hearing a plea by the CBI, which had approached the high court after the special court on Tuesday rejected its plea seeking a stay on the docu-series’ airing.
Netflix said it had no objection to the court’s suggestion of the CBI being given an opportunity to view the series. The high court had asked whether the witnesses featured in the series were examined by the special court in the ongoing trial of the Sheena Bora murder case.
Senior advocate Ravi Kadam for Netflix submitted that out of the list of witnesses, five are part of the series, including Mukerjea’s son Mikhail Bora, a person who identified the spot where the body was burnt, and a police officer.
Additional Solicitor General Devang Vyas and advocate Shreeram Shirsat for CBI also submitted a list of probable witnesses yet to be examined.
Justice Dere questioned Netflix as to why the CBI was not allowed to view the series. “She is an accused. It is her depiction. One of the bail conditions is not to tamper evidence. When you sort of interview people in support of your case…What is the difficulty in sharing the docuseries? Whether there is a right of the victim?” Justice Dere said. Kadam responded by saying it would amount to pre-censorship, which the CBI cannot do under the law, adding that there was a right to fair trial under Article 21 of the Constitution.
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“Trial is ongoing, we want to know if an accused has a right. We are asking you, before we hear you (Netflix), why cannot the CBI watch the series? Because somewhere down the line, evidence is being recorded and witnesses are being examined,” the judge asked parties to the case.
Kadam said that the CBI cannot approach the court at the last minute seeking to postpone the series’ airing, adding there was no gag order against witnesses.
“It can be deferred by a week, heavens are not going to fall. They (CBI) are not saying postpone it, we are saying it. They have not even opened the argument. But till then, you will not release the series,” Justice Dere said. The HC also asked CBI if it will file an application to cancel Indrani’s bail.
The lawyer for Netflix reluctantly agreed to the suggestion and said the judges can also view the series, to which the judges said they would consider the same.
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“Netflix has no objection to the suggestion made by us that CBI be given an opportunity to view the docuseries. He assures that screening will be arranged accordingly. Hence, the hearing of the aforesaid petition is deferred (till February 29). In view of the above, Kadam states that the docuseries will not be aired till the next date.”
Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions.
Expertise & Authority
Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage.
Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in:
Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include:
Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes).
Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty).
Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict.
Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability.
Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges.
Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More
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