Mumbai: The jury is still out on why the co-owner of ‘1658’, one of the most happening restaurants in Kolkata, Sanjeev Khanna, allegedly became a party to the conspiracy leading to the murder of Sheena Bora in the summer of 2012.
Preliminary investigations by Kolkata Police and their counterparts in Mumbai have not yet unravelled any direct motive for his involvement, even though his bank accounts, totalling at least half-a-dozen, are presently under scrutiny.
Khanna, investigators have claimed, took part in the crime as the prime accused Indrani Mukerjea had promised and delivered a good amount of money.
to him, which has not been traced yet. But this seems not too probable in view of his sound financial position.
Was there any other motive that led Khanna to be a party to this conspiracy and if, yes, then what? This is baffling the probe agencies.
“Bank accounts of Bawali Estates Pvt Limited, 1658 Bar on Chowringhee Road and few other small companies run by Khanna’s close friend Ajay Rawla are now under scrutiny to find if any major financial transactions took place between him and Indrani. We understand Rawla from whose home, Khanna was arrested in Kolkata has been the face of their business.
So far we don’t have any reason to believe he was in any financial crisis which forced him to toe the line of Indrani in an attempt to come out from the crisis but then we are not yet sure if any emotional bonding from the past provoked Khanna to help his former wife in such a heinous crime,” said a source in Kolkata. In most of the business initiatives that Rawla has been leading, Khanna has been shown as a ‘consultant,’ on paper.
Saurin Ghosal, Public Prosecutor of Kolkata Police talking to Free Press Journal said, ”there may be a mix of reasons and it’s not all driven by the financial angle. Khanna was earning well and prima facie, there is no imminent financial threat looming large over his head. The statement of Indrani’s driver reveals Khanna’s direct involvement but then his statement to cops does not talk about possible motive behind the crime.”
“There is no criminal record found. So there may be few things more than what have surfaced so far,” adds Ghosal. Khanna being associated with CCFC, one of the elite clubs in India also enjoyed much influence among his business associates and friends. “Few crores of rupees here and there, he could have asked from his friends as loan. He is solvent and part of businesses which are doing well,” said the source.
“Khanna had told me that he was in Mumbai during April 24-25 to meet Vidhie. He met Indrani only once on April 24 night at 11.30. Beyond this he did not share any much information with me,” Salim Rahaman, Khanna’s lawyer told Free Press Journal. “He having any financial crunch is not within my knowledge and people here believe he is doing well,” Rahaman said.
