Truth behind ‘unfortunate’ death of a ‘gifted and talented artist’ Rajput should come out, says SC

On a day when three important developments took place in the Sushant Singh Rajput alleged suicide case on Wednesday, the Supreme Court said the truth behind the “unfortunate” death of a “gifted and talented artist” Rajput should come out, while the Centre apprised it of having accepted the Bihar Government’s recommendation for a CBI probe in the case.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned Rhea Chakraborty on August 7 for questioning in money laundering probe linked to complaint by Rajput’s father. The ED has already questioned Rajput’s Chartered Accountant Sandeep Sridhar and Chakraborty’s associate Samuel Miranda.

The CBI, which has received a notification from the Department of Personnel and Training during the day, said the case will be re-registered either by early Thursday.

Last week, the Patna Police had registered a case against Chakraborty, her family members and others under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections relating abetment to suicide, cheating, criminal breach of trust and theft.

The Patna police had registered the case on a complaint of Rajput’s father Krishna Kumar Singh.

“A very unfortunate incident has taken place. A gifted and talented artist has passed away in circumstances which are unusual. Now, the circumstances in which this death took place needs to be inquired into,” a Bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy said during the hearing held through video conferencing.

 “Having considered...Submissions, three day time is granted to all parties to place on record their respective stand in the matter. The State of Maharashtra should apprise the court on the stage of investigation by the Mumbai Police by the next date. The matter be listed in the next week,” the court said in its order.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, told the apex court that Bihar Government’s recommendation for CBI investigation in the case has been accepted.

The SC is hearing a plea by Chakraborty who is seeking transfer of the Bihar police FIR, accusing her of abetting suicide of Rajput, from Patna to Mumbai.

Rajput, aged 34, was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14. The Mumbai Police has been probing the case under CrPC Section relating to accidental

The top court also directed Rajput’s father Singh as also Bihar and Maharashtra to respond within three days to the plea Chakraborty seeking transfer of an FIR from Patna to Mumbai.

Mumbai Police, which has recorded the statements of 56 persons so far in the case, will have to apprise the top court about the progress made by it in the investigation.

The police have recorded the statements of 56 persons including Bollywood directors like Aditya Chopra, Mahesh Bhatt and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

The court took note of the Mumbai authorities putting an IPS officer from Bihar in quarantine and said, “The incident of quarantining a police officer (of Bihar) has not sent a good message.”

 Mumbai Police has “good professional reputation”, the Bench observed, adding, “kindly ensure that everything is done in accordance with law.”

During the hearing, senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Rajput’s father, said he has no difficulty if the apex court examines the case but no protective order should be passed in favour of Chakraborty.

Singh alleged that Maharashtra Police is “destroying the evidence” in the case and for the time being, they should be directed to cooperate with Bihar Police in the ongoing probe.

Senior advocate R Basant, appearing for Maharashtra, told the Bench that Patna Police has no jurisdiction to either lodge an FIR or investigate the matter and this has been made a “political case”.

 The Maharashtra Government told the bench, “We are doing quite a professional job” and it is inappropriate that Mumbai Police is being accused like this.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for Chakraborty, told the Bench that no coercive action be taken against her till the pendency of the matter. “We want all parties to hold their hands. Lawyers are here and I am sure they have all heard you,” the Bench observed.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Tuesday recommended the CBI probe to the Centre in the sensational case at the request of Rajput’s father.

 Maharashtra has been opposed to transferring the probe to CBI.