Accused Indrani Mukerjea Permitted to File Fresh Application for Overseas Travel, Trial Extension Request Denied Future Consideration
The Supreme Court of India has granted a 9-month extension for the trial of Indrani Mukerjea, in response to a request from the Special Judge, CBI, City Civil & Sessions Court, Greater Bombay. The extension has been approved with a firm stipulation that no further requests for additional time will be entertained. This decision comes as the court acknowledges the complexities involved in the high-profile case, while emphasizing the need for timely justice.
The bench, comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, reviewed the request dated February 5, 2026, from the lower court seeking more time to conclude the trial. In its order dated March 16, 2026, the Supreme Court underscored the importance of concluding the trial within the newly extended timeframe, thereby dismissing any possibility of future extensions.
In addition to granting the trial extension, the Supreme Court has also allowed Indrani Mukerjea the liberty to file a fresh application for permission to travel abroad. This follows an earlier order from February 12, 2025, which laid the groundwork for such a request. The court's decision to permit a new application for international travel signifies a measured approach to balancing the accused's rights with the judicial process.
The judgment concludes the Miscellaneous Application No. 495 of 2026 in SLP(Crl) No. 17027 of 2024, reflecting the court's determination to streamline the proceedings and maintain judicial efficiency. Legal representatives for both parties, including Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani for the petitioner and Additional Solicitor General Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare for the respondent, were present during the proceedings.
This trial, which has captured nationwide attention, will continue under the constraints outlined by the Supreme Court, ensuring that justice is served without undue delay.
Bottom Line:
Extension of time for trial granted by the Supreme Court while clearly stating that no further extension requests will be entertained - Liberty granted to the accused to file a fresh application for permission to travel abroad, subject to prior orders.
Statutory provision(s): Criminal Procedure Code, 1973
Indrani Mukerjea v. Central Bureau of Investigation, (SC) : Law Finder Doc id # 2867815
