By Ali Raza
In 2015, public opinion in India was shaken. Andra Murgia, a female billionaire and role model for many girls, was arrested for murdering her own biological daughter. This tragic case left the public reeling at the depths of greed shown by a woman once admired nationwide for her talent and determination. Andra Murgia meticulously planned to kill her daughter, and the motives revealed afterward left the public in shock. What could turn a model mother and wealthy woman into a cold-blooded monster?
Our main character today is a 25-year-old girl named Sheena Bora, living in Mumbai. This city, known for its lights and glamour, houses India’s largest film industry, Bollywood. However, behind the city’s magnificent exterior, a case shocked all of India – the murder of Sheena Bora.
Sheena was born on February 11, 1987, in Guwahati, Assam, India. Her father, Siddhartha Das, and mother, Pori Bora (later known as Andra Murgia), divorced soon after her birth. Das was unemployed, while Andra was ambitious, determined to rise to the upper class. Leaving Sheena with her parents, Andra focused on her career.
In 1990, Andra moved to Kolkata, married her second husband, Sanjeev Khanna, and had another daughter, Vidhie, born in 1997. Andra’s business ambitions led to the couple opening a recruitment company, INX Services. However, they divorced in 2002. Andra soon found a third husband, Peter Mukerjea, the CEO of Star India, who was wealthy and well-connected.
In 2007, Andra and Peter co-founded 9X Media. Despite being a successful entrepreneur, Andra was a failure as a mother. Sheena, neglected by her mother, felt anger and depression. Her diary revealed her resentment and hatred towards her mother.
Overwhelmed by resentment, Sheena devised a plan to kill her stepfather and mother. Moving in with Andra, she had to pretend to be Andra’s younger sister. Despite this, she excelled in her studies and worked for her mother. However, Sheena developed a romantic relationship with Peter’s son, Rahul Mukerjea. Andra opposed this relationship and sent Sheena back to her grandparents.
In 2012, after a complicated relationship with her mother, Sheena was invited to dinner by Andra. Rahul dropped her off, unaware this would be the last time he saw her. Sheena was drugged and strangled by Andra, with the help of Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyam Rai. They disposed of Sheena’s body in a forest.
Three years later, the police arrested Shyam Rai, who confessed to the murder, implicating Andra and Sanjeev. Andra was arrested, charged with kidnapping, fraud, and murder. Peter Mukerjea was also arrested for conspiracy. The motive for the murder was to prevent Sheena from marrying Rahul and claiming Peter’s assets.
The case shocked the nation. Andra, once a media queen, was revealed to have killed her daughter to protect her wealth and reputation. The case highlighted issues within the Indian legal system, including trial delays and investigative inefficiencies. The murder of Sheena Bora reflects the complexity of upper-class family dynamics and the darker side of ambition and greed. The trial continues, with Andra defending herself, denying all charges.
This case remains one of India’s most infamous and complex murder cases of the 21st century, involving power, family, and finances. It is a lesson in human ethics and the dangers of allowing personal ambition to overshadow basic moral values.
