Sheena Bora murder case: Maharashtra Govt hands over probe to CBI

Mumbai, Sep 18: In a new twist, the Maharashtra Government on Friday decided to hand over the sensational Sheena Bora murder case to the CBI to ensure that investigation is carried out without any prejudice or interference.

The decision was announced at a press meet here by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K P Bakshi, after 10 days of flip-flop over the supervisory role of former Mumbai police chief Rakesh Maria, who was unceremoniously removed from the post on September 8 and was replaced by Ahmad Javed.

"Formalities have been completed. We have contacted the Central Government officials. The decision of the Centre will be accepted by the state," Bakshi said.

Transfer of Maria has left a question mark over his continued role in the probe.

Though the Government, within hours of shunting him out as Mumbai Police Commissioner, said that Maria would continue to supervise the probe after the decision generated much heat in media and political circles, ambguity persisted on the actual role.

Sheena was murdered on April 24, 2012, and her body was burnt and disposed of in the forest in Raigad district the next day.

Apart from Sheena's mother Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyamver Rai were arrested in the case and are now in judicial custody after being interrogated for 14 days by police.

PTI