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Indrani Mukerjea Out Of Danger But Under Observation, Says Doctor

Indrani Mukerjea Out Of Danger But Under Observation, Says Doctor
MUMBAI, INDIA - APRIL 18: Indrani Mukerjea, Founder & CEO, INX Media Pvt. Ltd. and Chairperson, INX News Pvt. Ltd. poses for a profile shoot on April 18, 2008 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Madhu Kapparath/Mint via Getty Images)
Mint via Getty Images
MUMBAI, INDIA - APRIL 18: Indrani Mukerjea, Founder & CEO, INX Media Pvt. Ltd. and Chairperson, INX News Pvt. Ltd. poses for a profile shoot on April 18, 2008 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Madhu Kapparath/Mint via Getty Images)

Indrani Mukerjea, the main accused in the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora, has regained consciousness and is out of danger, a doctor at the JJ Hospital today said.

"Indrani is conscious. She is responding to our commands. Her condition is good. But she will remain under observation for next 24 to 48 hours before we consult a psychiatrist and seek opinion on discharging her," PTI quoted Dr TP Lahane, Dean of the state-run hospital, as saying.

"She is still drowsy but we have been giving her some fluids including water. Indrani is completely out of danger now," Lahane said, adding, "within 48 hours we will discharge her."

CNN-IBN had earlier reported that the Forensic Science Laboratory reports accessed by it "showed no traces of chemicals in Indrani's blood and urine samples".

But Lahane said "the forensic test is authentic and reliable and we have accepted the findings of the report. We have been giving her treatment on the basis of clinical findings and she is responding to our treatment."

Principal Home Secretary (Prisons), Vijay Satbir Singh, had said that a probe is looking into all aspects of the case, including whether medicines or any other toxic substance Mukerjea consumed were prescribed by doctors. The probe is also not ruling out negligence or foul play and action would be taken against those found responsible.

Amid speculation that Mukerjea attempted suicide inside the prison, Dr Nitin Chutke, Deputy Director of Government Forensic Laboratory, said the "urine, blood samples and stomach wash were all negative. There is no trace of drugs. Possible drug overdose is ruled out."

Dr Lahane had yesterday said a report on Indrani's urine samples from Hinduja Hospital laboratory confirmed that level of benzodiazepine--an anti depressant--was found raised.

"Normally if a patient is on antidepressant drug the level of benzodiazepine in urine is 200.But the level of benzodiazepine is 2088 as per the Hinduja report.The report is positive for drug overdose. Anti-epileptic drugs has already been ruled out. The (test) has come negative.It is only the anti-depressant that has caused the thing(collapse)," he had said.

Wife of media baron Peter Mukerjea, Indrani was arrested by Khar Police on August 25 for her alleged role in the murder of Sheena, her daughter from an earlier marriage, in 2012.

Indrani's daughter Sheena, 24, was allegedly kidnapped from outside National College in Bandra and strangled to death in a car by Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyamvar Rai. Indrani's lawyer moved a local court seeking permission to meet her in the hospital and the court sought a re-report on her health condition.

During the hearing, the CBI, which has taken over the investigation in the Sheena murder case, told the court the probe is at an initial stage and the gravity of the offence is very serious.

"After she regains consciousness, the statement she gives will provide vital information on how she fell unconscious and if there was a drug overdose, how did that happen. If there is an element of criminality, a case will be filed against those guilty," Singh said.

The warden who monitored the medicines Mukerjea took for insomnia and depression said she had never given her any excess medicines. But after a preliminary probe, officials are of the opinion that Mukerjea may have hoarded the tablets and consumed them in one shot on Friday, reported the Times of India.

Mukerjea was rushed to the hospital from Byculla jail on Friday afternoon.

Her mother Durga Rani Bora (82) passed away in Guwahati on Tuesday, TOI reported. Her father Upendra Kumar Bora is also of frail health.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.