Indrani Mukerjea allegedly killed her daughter Sheena Bora in April 2012
As Indrani Mukerjea, key accused in Sheena Bora murder case, returned to jail after being discharged from hospital today, the stage is set for recording her statement about the circumstances under which she fell unconscious last Friday.
The former media executive is mentally and physically fit now and her statement will be recorded either by tonight or tomorrow morning, said Vijay Satbir Singh, Principal Secretary (Appeals and Security).
Newly-appointed IG (Prisons) Bipin Kumar Singh is heading the probe into the circumstances under which Ms Mukherjea collapsed in Byculla Women's Prison, where she is lodged under judicial custody, and rushed to JJ Hospital five days ago. It is suspected that the 43-year-old had overdose of anti-depressant pills.
Vijay Singh said prison officials were unable to record her statement while she was in the hospital as they thought she was not in a proper frame of mind.
"She has completely recovered now and is safe and sound. The crisis is over. It is now for the inquiry officer to record her statement at his convenience. Whatever she tells authorities will be included in the report that is to be sent to the state Home Ministry," Vijay Singh told PTI.
After Ms Mukherjea's hospitalisation, government's top priority was to save her life and provide her with proper treatment, the senior bureaucrat said.
"Now that she is well, inquiry can start anytime now - either by tonight or tomorrow morning. The Investigating Officer (Bipin) was in Pune to take charge of his new posting. He may send a subordinate to record Indrani's statement."
"We did not collect any information while she was in hospital because, though she was talking to doctors, she was drowsy and thus could have given incorrect answers that would have mislead the investigation.
"She was not in proper senses then. She is physically and mentally competent now and thus it is for the IO to collect information at the earliest possible time," he said.