Constant "blackmailing" of former media executive Indrani Mukerjea by her daughter Sheena Bora and relationship with Rahul Mukerjea were among the reasons for her murder in April 2012, according to a Central Bureau of Investigation official.
The official, requesting anonymity, said former media baron Peter Mukerjea, arrested on Thursday by the CBI, had played "a major role" in the murder of Sheena, his step-daughter.
Peter, who is in CBI custody till November 23, is the husband of case prime accused Indrani.
Money, Sheena's relationship with Peter's son Rahul and blackmailing of Indrani by her daughter were the three motives for the latter's killing, he said.
According to the officer, in 2004, Indrani had gifted a seven BHK flat in Delhi to Sheena. However, the flat wasn't transferred in Sheena's name and in 2010 Indrani and Peter sold the apartment for Rs 1.10 crore without her knowledge.
In 2008, Sheena and Rahul got into relationship, which was objected to by both Indrani as well as Peter, he said.
Indrani and Peter's act of selling the flat had enraged Sheena who subsequently started "blackmailing" her mother.
Sheena told Indrani if she doesn't give her a three BHK flat in Mumbai, she would "expose" her and reveal the fact that she
was her daughter and not sister, said the officer.
Indrani had reportedly told Peter and others known to her that Sheena was her sister.
Fed up with Sheena's constant blackmailing, Indrani and Peter, in 2011, made a will stating that if the couple die, then Vidhie, Indrani's daughter with her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, would be the owner of their entire property, he said.
Due to all these reasons, a conspiracy was hatched to get rid of Sheena for which Indrani's driver Shyamvar Rai was also roped in and offered Rs 2 lakh to help execute the murder plan, he said.
Mama wants to get someone out of way, Vidhie had told Sheena
Vidhie Khanna, daughter of Indrani with her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, had an inkling that some ominous plan was afoot and had tried to warn Sheena Bora after hearing her mother say that she wanted to get someone "out of the way".
According to the CBI charge sheet, Vidhie had sent a text message to Sheena, saying Sheena and her boyfriend Rahul -- Peter Mukerjea's son -- should be careful.
"Mama (Indrani) says she doesn't want to break up the relationship she wants to get someone out of the way.. And I have just heard something exotic," Vidhie said in the message which is a part of the charge sheet.
She also requested Sheena not to tell Indrani about this convesation.