On June 24, 2020, the Special CBI Court in Mumbai rejected the second interim bail application filed by Sanjeev Khanna, a key accused in the high-profile Sheena Bora murder case. Khanna, who has been in custody since August 26, 2015, sought temporary release under COVID-19 relief guidelines issued by the Maharashtra High Power Committee.

The application was filed under Section 439 of the Criminal Procedure Code and cited health concerns, jail overcrowding, and potential COVID-19 exposure as grounds for bail. The case, registered by the CBI, alleges that Khanna, along with Indrani Mukerjea and others, conspired to abduct and murder Sheena Bora on April 24, 2012, by sedating and strangulating her in a car, and then disposing of her body in Raigad district the following day.

The prosecution strongly opposed the bail plea, citing Khanna’s active role in the murder, destruction of evidence, and his prior rejected bail application from July 2016. While Khanna’s counsel argued his age (55), health risks, and compliance with bail conditions, the court found no compelling medical reason warranting release and noted the availability of adequate healthcare within Arthur Road Jail, where COVID-19 cases had sharply declined and recovery rates were high.

The court also emphasized that murder charges under Section 302 IPC, though not explicitly excluded from interim bail consideration, were serious and disqualified the applicant on merits and gravity of the offense. Observing that the application relied solely on COVID-19 guidelines and not the merits of the case, Special Judge Jayendra C. Jagdale ruled that the plea lacked sufficient grounds and dismissed the bail application accordingly.