By Tanveer Zaidi (Actor-Author-Educationist)
It was bound to happen, and now it finally has. After an extensive four-and-a-half-year-long investigation into the untimely demise of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially closed the case. In doing so, the investigative agency has given a clean chit to actress Rhea Chakraborty, who had been embroiled in controversy since the beginning of the case.
The End of a Highly Publicized Investigation
The case of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death had captivated the entire nation, sparking intense debates, media trials, and public outrage. The incident became one of the most controversial and widely discussed crime cases in India’s modern history. With the closure of the investigation, many unanswered questions and conspiracy theories may now finally be put to rest.
The Mysterious Death of Sushant Singh Rajput
Sushant Singh Rajput, a popular Bollywood actor, was found dead in his apartment in Bandra, Mumbai, on June 14, 2020. His death occurred just six days after the tragic demise of Disha Salian, his former manager, who reportedly fell from the 14th floor of a building in Malad, Mumbai, under suspicious circumstances. Both incidents fueled speculation and allegations, leading to widespread demand for an independent probe.
The Closure Report and Its Implications
The CBI has now filed closure reports in two separate cases it was investigating. One of the cases was filed in August 2021 in Patna by Sushant’s father, K.K. Singh, who had accused Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, and other members of her family of being involved in Sushant’s alleged murder or abetment to suicide. The second case was filed in September 2021 by Rhea Chakraborty herself, in which she accused Sushant’s sisters and doctor of prescribing him unauthorized medication. Both cases were officially closed by the CBI in a special court in Mumbai.
Rhea Chakraborty’s Legal Battle and Lawyer’s Statement
Rhea Chakraborty, who was subjected to intense media scrutiny, social media trials, and multiple legal battles, has now been acquitted of all allegations. Her lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, expressed his relief and called out the injustice she and her family had endured throughout the case.
“Rhea Chakraborty had to go through immense suffering. She was unjustly imprisoned for 27 days, despite having no involvement in any crime. Justice Sarang V. Kotwal ultimately granted her bail, but the damage had already been done. I commend her and her family for their resilience and for maintaining their dignity in the face of relentless public and media scrutiny. Innocent people were unfairly harassed and subjected to inhuman treatment. I sincerely hope such a miscarriage of justice does not repeat itself in any future cases,” said Maneshinde.
Mumbai Police’s Initial Investigation and Suicide Angle
Initially, the Mumbai police led the investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death and deemed it a case of suspected suicide. However, due to the lack of a suicide note and widespread speculation of foul play, public demand for a deeper investigation intensified. This ultimately led to the intervention of multiple investigative agencies, including the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
A New Allegation in the Disha Salian Case
Interestingly, just days before the closure of Sushant Singh Rajput’s case, a new twist emerged in the form of allegations from Disha Salian’s father. He publicly stated that his daughter was not only murdered but also gang-raped before her death. In his plea, he requested a fresh CBI investigation into the circumstances of her tragic demise. He further claimed that Sushant was deeply disturbed by Disha’s death and was terrified that “the people responsible for her murder” would come after him as well.
This assertion fueled speculation that the deaths of Sushant and Disha were interconnected and potentially part of a larger conspiracy. While no conclusive evidence has been presented to support this theory, it remains an area of concern for those seeking definitive answers.
Legal Charges and Investigations
The CBI’s FIR in Sushant Singh Rajput’s case initially implicated Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik, and their parents, along with Rhea’s associates Samuel Miranda and Shruti Modi. The FIR, which was first registered by the Bihar Police in Patna on July 28, 2020, included various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to criminal conspiracy, abetment of suicide, wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, theft, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and criminal intimidation.
A team of Bihar Police officers traveled to Mumbai to investigate the case, which eventually led to the CBI taking over the probe.
The Role of the Enforcement Directorate and Narcotics Control Bureau
As the case gained momentum, multiple agencies launched independent investigations into different aspects of the allegations. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) began investigating Rhea Chakraborty on charges of money laundering. However, after rigorous interrogation and forensic scrutiny of financial transactions, no substantial evidence of money laundering was found against her.
Meanwhile, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) initiated an inquiry into allegations that Rhea and her associates were involved in procuring and supplying drugs to Sushant Singh Rajput. This led to her arrest and subsequent 27-day imprisonment. Despite this, no significant proof emerged to establish a direct link between her and any major drug-related offenses.
The FIR Against Sushant’s Sisters and Doctor
In an interesting turn of events, Rhea Chakraborty also filed a counter FIR in September 2021, accusing Sushant Singh Rajput’s sisters and a doctor of illegally prescribing him medication without proper consultation. This case was also transferred to the CBI for investigation. With the latest development, the CBI has now closed this case as well, further reinforcing Rhea’s legal exoneration.
Conclusion: A Case That Defined Public Discourse
The Sushant Singh Rajput case remains one of the most sensationalized and debated legal matters in recent history. While the CBI’s closure report officially puts an end to the investigation, questions and theories surrounding the case are likely to persist in public discourse. The case also highlights the devastating impact of intense media scrutiny, trial by public opinion, and the broader implications of a high-profile legal battle in India.
As justice takes its course, one can only hope that lessons are learned from this episode, ensuring that due process prevails and that individuals, regardless of their status, are treated fairly in the pursuit of truth and justice.