Sushant Singh Rajput death case current status: What is the CBI, NCB, ED update?
The Sushant Singh Rajput death case is being investigated by three central probe agencies - the CBI, the NCB and the ED. A year since his death, where does the investigation stand?
A year after Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra, Mumbai apartment (June 14, 2020), millions of his fans are still waiting for justice as none of the probe agencies investigating the death case - Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) - have to date been able concluded the investigation.
The death of Sushant Singh Rajput had created a political storm between the Maharashtra Government and the Bihar Government after which the Centre intervened and the Supreme Court directed the CBI to carry out a probe in connection to his death. This was after the late actor's father, KK Singh, filed an FIR against Sushant’s girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her family members accusing her of abetment of suicide and siphoning off Rs 15 crore from the late actor's account, among others. After the CBI registered the FIR, a case was lodged by the ED against Rhea to look into the money-laundering angle. The NCB also stepped in after WhatsApp chats revealed that the actor was given drugs.
THE SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT ARCHIVES
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However, none of these agencies have been able to come up with the possible reason that might have led to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput.
WHAT LED TO SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT'S DEATH, CBI TRIES TO PROBE
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claims that all aspects are being looked at in the investigation of actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death.
The federal probe agency during its probe recorded statements of Rhea Chakraborty, her father Indrajit, mother, brother Showik, house staffs of Sushant including his friend Siddhant Pithani who were present in the apartment when he was discovered dead, former managers of Sushant, Mumbai Police officials who were initially investigating the case, and doctors who had treated the actor in the past. The CBI also recreated the crime scene with the help of forensic experts from AIIMS and all the possible evidence, including viscera samples, were sent for examination.
A panel of AIIMS' doctors, who examined the viscera samples and autopsy reports of Sushant, had ruled out any foul play in the case and told the CBI that it is a case of suicide and not murder.
In a statement, CBI had said, “During the investigation, all the witnesses have been examined to understand the circumstances and apprehensions raised by the complainant and his family members and other independent sources. An intensive and thorough investigation has been carried out in this regard."
The agency claims that it is conducting the investigation in a thorough and professional manner using the latest scientific techniques.
The CBI also used advanced mobile forensic equipment including the latest software for extraction and analysis of relevant data available in the digital devices and also for analysis of dump data of the relevant cell tower locations related to the case.
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With the help of experts, the agency is also doing a psychiatric analysis of Sushant Singh Rajput to understand what might have led the actor to his death.
During the probe, the federal agency visited Aligarh, Faridabad, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Manesar and Patna to collect evidence and record statements.
The investigating team and senior officers had visited the place of the incident on numerous occasions for a better understanding of the circumstances related to the incident. The experts also carried out a simulation exercise to better understand what might have transpired on June 14, 2020.
CBI also questioned the Cooper Hospital doctors who conducted the autopsy on the actor. The Mumbai Police, based on medical opinion and statements, had said that Sushant Singh Rajput had died by suicide.
CBI has also not found concrete evidence against Rhea Chakraborty on the abetment to suicide charge, as alleged by the family of Sushant.
Rhea Chakraborty, during an interview to India Today, had said that the allegations against her are wrong and that she had moved out of Sushant Singh Rajput's house six days before his death. Rhea had blocked Sushant on June 9, 2020, a day after she moved out of his apartment.
WHERE IS THE MISSING Rs 15 CRORE, ED INVESTIGATES
The Enforcement Directorate had lodged a case of money laundering against Rhea Chakraborty and her family members after Sushant’s family alleged Rs 15 crore of the late actor was siphoned off by Rhea and her brother, Showik Chakraborty.
The ED recorded statements of Rhea and others in the family during their investigation. The financial probe agency found that three firms linked to Sushant were in partnership with Rhea and her brother and several transactions were made from the actor’s account.
However, ED failed to find any concrete evidence to show that Rhea took and routed Rs 15 crore from Sushant’s account.
WERE DRUGS RESPONSIBLE FOR SSR'S DEATH, NCB DIGS DEEP
The Narcotics Control Bureau had lodged a case after alleged WhatsApp chats of Rhea revealed her conversation about drugs. The NCB had arrested Rhea, her brother and several drug peddlers in the case. It was alleged that Sushant was being given drugs by Rhea and others in the house including Sushant's house helps.
The NCB, however, failed to conclude if the drugs given by Rhea to Sushant were responsible for the actor’s death.