Mumbai:  The special CBI court on Monday accepted the application moved by Shyamvar Rai, Indrani Mukerjea's former driver, to become an approver in the mystery-shrouded Sheena Bora murder case.


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The special court had reserved its decision for today during the previous hearing on Rai's application.


Rai had moved an application in the court last month seeking to become an approver and sought pardon. The CBI, too, had said that they have no objection to making Rai an approver.


However, the lawyers of other accused had objected to Rai's application to turn an approver. One of the lawyers also said that the court should satisfy itself that Rai is disclosing all the facts in the case.


 


 


Expressing his desire to turn an approver, Shyamvar Rai had said he wanted to "disclose all truths" as he had taken part in Sheena Bora's murder.


Recording his statement before the court, Shyamvar Rai had said he was under "no pressure, threat or coercion" to reveal the facts of the case and was "repentant" about his act.


Shyamvar Rai had written a two-page letter to the court last month seeking pardon in the case while stating that he wants to reveal everything.


Shyamvar Rai was the first accused to be arrested in the case in August 2015, taking the lid off the murder, after he was picked up in connection with an arms case.


Last year, Shyamvar Rai had recorded his confessional statement before the magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC, which, unlike the police statement, is admissible in the trial.


Key accused in the case, Indrani Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and Rai had allegedly strangled Sheena (24), Indrani's daughter from an earlier relationship, inside a car in April 2012.


Sheena Bora's body was found in a forest in Raigad. The crime, which came to light in August last year, is allegedly linked to certain financial dealings.


The trio was arrested in August last year while Indrani's husband and former media baron Peter Mukerjea was held in November. According to CBI, Peter was part of the murder conspiracy.


While Peter Mukerjea and Sanjeev Khanna are lodged in Arthur Road prison, Indrani (43) is in Byculla women's jail in Mumbai.