CBI's Petition to Block Release of Indrani Mukerjea Docuseries Dismissed by Court.
29 February 2024
Criminal Appeals & Suspension of Sentence >> Criminal Law | Investigation >> Criminal Law
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a petition seeking a stay on the release of a docuseries titled “The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth” on Netflix, arguing that its release during the ongoing trial of the Sheena Bora murder case could prejudice the administration of justice and affect witness credibility. The CBI claimed that the airing of the docuseries would interfere with the fairness of the trial by influencing public perception.
The respondents, represented by senior counsels, opposed the petition, asserting that the docuseries is based on publicly available information, including books and films already released on the same subject. They argued that the release of the docuseries would not harm the fairness of the trial as it does not introduce new or prejudicial material.
The Court, having reviewed the docuseries, noted that the content is based on publicly accessible information, including prior books and films about the Sheena Bora case. The Court rejected the CBI’s argument that public perception could derail the trial, emphasizing that judges decide cases based on evidence, not media portrayals. The Court also highlighted that the investigation had concluded, and the trial was ongoing, with many witnesses already examined.
Citing previous judgments, the Court concluded that the petition lacked merit and dismissed it, allowing the docuseries to be released. The petition was dismissed without addressing the maintainability issue, as the Court found no substantial risk to the fair trial.