For three years, no one knew Sheena Bora was dead. Then a driver's arrest on an unrelated gun charge cracked open one of India's most closely watched murder cases.
Background
Sheena Bora was the daughter of Indrani Mukerjea, the India-based founder and former CEO of INX Media. According to police, Indrani had presented both Sheena and her brother Mikhail publicly as her younger siblings rather than her children, reportedly to preserve her image as a young, successful executive. Sheena eventually moved to Mumbai for work and began a relationship with Rahul Mukerjea, the son of Indrani's third husband, media executive Peter Mukerjea — a relationship police allege Indrani strongly opposed, partly over concerns about family inheritance.
The Disappearance
Sheena Bora was last seen on April 24, 2012, after reportedly meeting her mother to discuss the relationship with Rahul. She was reported missing shortly after, though Indrani allegedly told others Sheena had moved to the United States to study — including, police allege, a text sent from Sheena's own phone after her disappearance.
The Arrest
The case remained unresolved for three years. In August 2015, Indrani's driver, Shyamvar Rai, was detained in an unrelated firearms matter. During questioning, police allege Rai confessed to helping dispose of a body he said belonged to Sheena Bora, implicating Indrani and her second husband, Sanjeev Khanna. Indrani was arrested on August 25, 2015, and Khanna the following day.
What Police Allege
According to the prosecution's case, Indrani picked Sheena up, and Sheena was killed and her body later disposed of in a remote area of Maharashtra, with the remains discovered and buried without forensic identification the following month — a gap that meant the case wasn't connected to Sheena's disappearance for years. Prosecutors have pointed to a possible motive involving family inheritance and Sheena's relationship with Rahul Mukerjea. Peter Mukerjea has said he had no knowledge that Sheena was Indrani's daughter and was not involved in her death; he was also investigated separately in connection with alleged financial irregularities at the couple's company.
Indrani has maintained that Sheena was alive and living abroad as of 2012 but has not presented evidence supporting that claim.
Where the Case Stands
Editorial note: as of the most recent information available here, the criminal trial against Indrani Mukerjea and her co-accused had not reached a final verdict. Please verify and update this article with the current trial status before publishing.
FAQ
Who is accused of killing Sheena Bora?
Her mother, Indrani Mukerjea, along with Indrani's driver and her second husband, Sanjeev Khanna, according to police.
How was the case discovered?
Indrani's driver was arrested on an unrelated weapons charge in 2015 and, according to police, confessed to his role during questioning.
Was Peter Mukerjea charged?
He was investigated in connection with the case but has said he had no knowledge of or involvement in Sheena's death.