All That’s Happened in the Sushant Singh Rajput Case So Far
Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide on 14 June.
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The investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput's death took another turn when on Tuesday, 28 July, an FIR was filed against Rajput's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty on the complaint of his father. Here's what has happened in the case so far:
THE INCIDENT
Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide on 14 June at his residence in Bandra.
Since then, the Mumbai Police have been investigating every possible angle including professional rivalry and his reported clinical depression.
Sushant's death sparked massive outrage on social media, with actors such as Kangana Ranaut claiming he was alienated, was a victim of nepotism and was forced to take the step because he succumbed to the pressures of the industry. The 'insider-outsider' debate is still raging on. Sushant's mental health was also debated and dissected.
MUMBAI POLICE INVESTIGATION
Over 40 people have recorded their statements to the Mumbai Police, including Rhea Chakraborty, director-producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, filmmaker Aditya Chopra, director Mukesh Chhabra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor, film critic Rajeev Masand among others.
On 27 July, cops ruled out any foul play after they received Sushant's viscera report, confirming it was a case of suicide.
FIR FILED BY SUSHANT'S FAMILY
On 28 July, an FIR was filed against actor Rhea Chakraborty under various sections, including abetment of suicide, on the complaint of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's father KK Singh, the inspector general of Patna Central said, reported ANI. The FIR named six people, including Rhea's brother and other family members, and accused her of cheating Sushant financially, harassing him mentally and driving him to suicide.
The FIR alleges:
- Rs 15 crore was transferred from Sushant's bank account to an unknown account in a year.
- Sushant's credit cards and bank accounts were run by Rhea Chakraborty and her family.
- On 8 June, Rhea left with Sushant's cash, jewellery, ATM cards, laptop etc.
- Sushant wanted to leave the film industry and take up organic farming. But Rhea stopped him, threatening to make his medical reports public.
RHEA'S & SUSHANT'S DAD'S PETITIONS IN SC
After the FIR against her, Rhea has filed a petition in the Supreme Court on 29 July seeking transfer of the investigation to Mumbai, the actor's lawyer Satish Maneshinde said, reported ANI.
Sushant's father has also moved the top court the next day (30 July), asking it to hear him before deciding on Rhea Chakraborty's petition to transfer the case filed by him from Patna to Mumbai. The Bihar government has backed his petition.
SC DISMISSES PLEA TO TRANSFER CASE TO CBI
On 31 July, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal for transferring the probe into Sushant Singh Rajput's death to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "Let the police do its job," said Chief Justice SA Bobde, asking petitioner Alka Priya to "Go to the Bombay High Court if you have anything concrete".
On Wednesday (29 July), Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, responding to calls by political leaders asking for a CBI inquiry, said that there was "no question" of transferring the case. Rhea had also requested Amit Shah for a CBI probe into Sushant's death.
SUSHANT'S CA DENIES MAJOR MONEY TRANSFER TO RHEA
in an interview to India Today on Thursday 30 July, Sushant's CA has rubbished claims of any major money transfers between the late actor and Rhea Chakraborty. CA Sandeep Shridhar said, "No major transfer except a few thousand to Rhea's account. Once Rhea's mother had transferred him Rs 33,000. He was a film star so he had to maintain his lifestyle and expenses. They both travelled together and he lived as per his wish."
In his statement to Mumbai Police, the CA also said that Sushant's did not have the amount that is being claimed by his family.
ED FILES MONEY LAUNDERING CASE
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case in connection with Sushant Singh Rajput's death on 31 July.
The case has been filed on the basis of an FIR filed by the Bihar police, say officials.
Sushant's father had alleged that there were unexplained transfers from his son’s bank account involving Rhea & others.
Tussle Over Actor's Death as Bihar Seeks CBI Probe
The political tussle over Sushant's death deepened on 31 July with various ministers from Maharashtra and Bihar making public statements about the investigation of the case. However, there has been public uproar over the case, with Bihar ministers demanding that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
SC to Hear Rhea's Plea on 5 August
A single-judge bench of the Supreme Court will be hearing Rhea Chakraborty’s transfer plea on 5 August, reported ANI.
Rhea had moved the Supreme Court seeking a transfer of the probe into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death from Patna to Mumbai.
Sushant's Therapist Opens Up About Actor's Mental Health
In an interview to Barkha Dutt, Sushant Singh Rajput's therapist Susan Walker opened up on the late actor's medical condition, adding that she decided to breach confidentiality given the reckless media coverage around mental health and the lynch mobs unleashing hate on social media. She also said that Rhea Chakraborty was a constant support for Sushant and even "gave him courage to seek help".
"Sushant was suffering from bipolar disorder. Symptoms can include severe anxiety. Mental health is no different to cancer or diabetes. Appalling stigma around mental health makes it difficult for patients", Susan added.
Yet to Locate Rhea, Says Bihar Police
The Bihar Police investigating the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput said in an interview to a television channel that Rhea Chakraborty should come forward and cooperate with the investigation.
"She had called for a CBI probe. I don’t know why she wants the Mumbai Police or the Bihar police to investigate. If she is innocent, she should come forward and should say it openly that any agency can probe the case", Director General of Police Bihar, Gupteshwar Pandey, told Aaj Tak.
However, Rhea's lawyer Satish Maneshinde refuted the claims, saying she hasn't received any notice from the Bihar Police and they have no jurisdiction to investigate the case.
Row Over Bihar Cop 'Forcibly' Quarantined
IPS officer Binay Tiwari, who reached Mumbai from Patna on official duty to lead the police team investigating the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has been ‘forcibly quarantined’ by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials, the Bihar Police said on Monday, 3 August. Director-General of Bihar Police, IPS officer Gupteshwar Pandey tweeted that Tiwari was forcibly quarantined at 11 pm on Sunday, and was not even provided accommodation in the IPS mess in spite of repeated requests.
Mumbai Police's Statements
On 3 August, Commissioner of Police Mumbai, Param Bir Singh spoke about the investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in a press conference. As per a report by Times Now, Singh said that before dying by suicide, Sushant had searched 'painless death' on the internet. Singh added that the actor was upset about the media linking him with his former manager Disha Salian's death.
The commissioner also spoke about how Sushant's family never raised any suspicions when they were interrogated by the Mumbai Police.
Bihar Govt Recommends CBI Probe
The Bihar government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has recommended a CBI investigation in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case, Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Sanjay Singh said on Tuesday, 4 August.
Aaditya Thackeray Issues Statement
Shiv Sena leader and son of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Aaditya Thackeray issued a statement on 4 August, rubbishing his involvement in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case and has dismissed all rumours against him, calling it all “dirty politics.”
Thackeray tweeted out in his statement which says that he isn’t even remotely connected to the case and that having friends in Bollywood “is not a crime.”
In his strongly-worded statement, Thackeray said that he was keeping calm and at the same time took a jibe at the Opposition saying that such a thing was coming out of “political despair” as some were not able to digest the success of the ruling party in the state.
Centre Accepts Bihar Govt's Request for CBI Probe
The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday, 5 August, heard actor Rhea Chakraborty's plea seeking transfer of the FIR from Patna to Mumbai and stay on investigation by the Bihar police on allegations of abetment to suicide levelled by late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's father.
The Centre has accepted Bihar government's request for a CBI investigation into the matter. Calling Rajput a "talented and gifted actor" who passed away under "unfortunate circumstances", the court sought a response from the Maharashtra government as to who will have jurisdiction to probe the case – the Mumbai Police, the Bihar Police or the CBI.
The court further criticised the Mumbai Police for quarantining officer, Vinay Tiwari, who was leading the team of investigators from the Bihar Police in Mumbai. The SC gave three days to all the parties to reply.
CBI Files FIR Against Rhea
The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed an FIR against Rhea Chakraborty, her family members Indrajit Chakraborty, Sandhya Chakraborty and Showik Chakraborty, Sushant Singh Rajput's house manager Samuel Miranda, Shruti Modi, and others in connection to the actor's death by suicide on 6 August, as per a report by ANI.
Rhea Records Statement to ED
On 7 August, Sushant's partner and actor Rhea Chakraborty recorded her statement to the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case linked to the actor's death. Rhea has been accused by Sushant's father of siphoning off funds.
Centre Asks to Be Part of Rhea's Petition
On Friday, 7 August, the central government approached the Supreme Court, requesting to be heard in the petition filed by actor Rhea Chakraborty challenging the case registered against her in Bihar in the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, as per a report by NDTV.
Sushant's Father Files Counter Affidavit
Sushant Singh Rajput's father KK Singh has filed a counter affidavit before the Supreme Court against Rhea Chakraborty's plea to transfer the probe to Mumbai, reported news agency ANI. Earlier, KK Singh had filed the FIR against Rhea Chakroborty in Patna. The hearing for the same is scheduled for 11 August.
Rhea Questioned Again by ED
Rhea Chakraborty was questioned by the ED a second time on 10 August after her brother Showik recorded his statement for nearly 18 hours on Saturday, reported ANI.
Rhea Files Fresh Plea in SC
The investigation into the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput is going on. On 10 August, Sushant's partner Rhea Chakraborty has filed a fresh petition in the Supreme Court, alleging that media trial and attempts are being made to already pronounce her guilty for the death of the actor, as per a report by ANI.
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