As the nation knows, Indrani Mukerjea has been accused of and arrested for the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora, by the Mumbai police. We decide to play devil's advocate for the case and take a look at how Indrani has been portrayed in news and on social media over the last few days.
Accused of murder
Since Indrani Mukerjea's arrest on August 26, 2015, all fingers, including those of the Mumbai police, have pointed towards her for Sheena's murder. All this has so far been based purely on circumstantial evidence. The nation is sympathising with Sheena since she is the victim and rightly so. But where is benefit of doubt for Indrani Mukerjea in this case?
The Arrest
Indrani Mukerjea’s arrest was based on what her driver, Shyamwar Rai, allegedly told the police. He has accused her of masterminding the crime and murdering her daughter. Her ex-husband, Sanjeev Khanna, who allegedly strangled Sheena, has also confessed to the police. However, neither of them has given any evidence so far that suggests that Indrani did plot this murder.
Mumbai socialites shuns her
Indrani Mukerjea is, meanwhile, being played out in the socialite circles of Mumbai as someone who didn’t even know English when she came from Kolkata and has been deemed a cunning and manipulative social climber. In fact, some several well-known personalities have even taken to Twitter to rip Indrani to shreds.
Allegations
So far, Indrani is alleged to have had three husbands, numerous affairs with other men, had illegitimate children whom she abandoned, and a father who sexually assaulted her. She also apparently had a greed and avarice for money and property.
Family turns on her?
No member of her family has spoken in support of her yet. Peter Mukerjea, her husband, has spoken to the media several times since the news of her arrest broke out and has contradicted himself several times. From " I didn’t know what was going on" to "I believe her 9.5 out of 10... I would say 10 out of 10 unless proven wrong". On August 26, he spoke to all the media that cared to listen and told them he didn’t know Sheena was Indrani's daughter and that he was "dumbstruck by the level of criminality". On August 27, he stated to some media that trouble had been brewing in their marriage over the last two years. Meanwhile, her son Mikhail alleges she plotted to kill both his sister and him and that he knows the reason why.
Guilty till proven innocent
Could Indrani’s character assassination get any worse than this? None of the statements of those accusing Indrani of cold-blooded murder have been proven by the Mumbai police so far. They are still investigating the murder and trying to unearth evidence. Yet, the media and emerging popular opinion has already convicted Indrani Mukerjea for the murder of Sheena Bora.
Also read: Sheena Bora Murder- The latest twists in this macabre tale
