A jailed truck repair company owner now claims that he was forced by police to plead guilty to the murder of his wife in 2010.

Rajive Sewnarain’s application for a review and the setting aside of his murder conviction and life sentence imposed on December 22, 2010 came before the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday.

In December 2010 Sewnarain, of Montclair, had revealed the details of the planned killing of his wife Shanaaz Sewnarain – which bore similarities to allegations made in the Anni Dewani murder trial.

However, after the murder, he had told police that he and his wife were the victims of a hijacking, during which he had been shot in the shoulder. He then blacked out and was pushed from the car.

His wife’s body was found in the back of the car the same night.

In court papers, it was submitted that before pleading guilty, Sewnarain had been assaulted by police. A firearm was pointed to his chest and he was threatened that if he did not admit to the murder, he would be shot. He also noticed “other persons” being severely assaulted by police.

The investigating officer had also allegedly told him that if he confessed, he would stand a better chance of getting a more lenient sentence.

It was also alleged that Sewnarain was not allowed to retain the services of an attorney of his choice.

“He wasn’t in his sound and sober senses when he pleaded guilty, having been under medication, tired, drowsy and not fit to stand trial,” said the papers.

The appeal was adjourned to the end of July.

In his plea, Sewnarain said a hitman had been hired to carry out the act and, to prove the veracity of his hijack claim, he was shot in the shoulder and bundled out of the car.

Sewnarain said his 20-year marriage was volatile and that earlier that month, a bus owner, “Boxer”, had said he could help him “take his wife out of his life” for R30 000.

On the day of the murder, Sewnarain told his wife he was going to take her out to buy pizza. He then gave Boxer a missed call and they drove to a pre-arranged spot.

The hitman then jumped into the couple’s car.

While Sewnarian was driving, the man fired a shot at his wife before Sewnarain was shot and pushed out of the car. – The Mercury