The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce on Wednesday its verdict on a plea filed by actress Rhea Chakraborty who has sought transfer of an FIR, lodged against her at Patna for allegedly abetting the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, to Mumbai. As per the cause list uploaded on the apex court website, a bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy would deliver the judgement.
The top court, which had reserved its judgement on the plea on August 11, was told by the Bihar government that “political clout” has not allowed Mumbai Police to even register an FIR in Rajput's case. Maharashtra government had argued that Bihar completely lacks jurisdiction in the matter.
Chakraborty's counsel had told the bench that probe by Mumbai Police has "proceeded quite substantially" as it has recorded statements of 56 persons in the case. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing Rajput’s father, Krishna Kishore Singh, had countered submissions advanced by Chakraborty’s counsel and said that they have "no faith" in Maharashtra Police.
Chakraborty’s lawyer had argued that FIR lodged by Rajput’s father has “absolutely no connection with any offence in Patna” and there was considerable delay of around 38 days in its lodging. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, had said that only FIR lodged in the case was in Bihar and the Enforcement Directorate has also started its separate probe in the matter.
The FIR in Patna was registered by Singh against Chakraborty and others for alleged offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 306 (abetment of suicide), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) and 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property).
The Centre had earlier informed the top court that it has accepted the recommendation of Bihar government for CBI probe into the FIR lodged at Patna by Rajput’s father who has accused Chakraborty and six others of various offences including abetment of suicide.
Rajput, 34, was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14 and since then Mumbai Police has been probing the case keeping in mind various angles. Sushant Singh Rajput's family has been demanding CBI probe into the actor's death. While the Supreme Court decision is yet to come, CBI has begun recording statements of the family members. They have also written to the Mumbai Police to handover Sushant's mobile phone for investigation. CBI will look into the late actor's call and message details and will investigate the deleted data as well.
On the other hand, Sushant's family has been trying day and night to know the truth behind the actor's death. His sister Shweta Singh Kirti on Monday expressed the helplessness they feel at times, but then encourage themselves by looking at the global support they have been receiving in the fight. She tweeted, "There are moments when sense of helplessness takes over but then I remind myself there are millions who are praying and fighting for truth and at no cost justice can be denied! #JusticeForSushant #GlobalPrayers4SSR #CBIForSSR #Warriors4SSR #Godiswithus"
Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also investigating the matter as a money laundering case in connection to Sushant Singh Rajput's death. Rhea Chakraborty's CA Ritesh Shah was summoned by ED on Monday but he did not appear before them. He is likely to come today to record his statements once again, according to ED officials. Furthermore, they said that few more people will be called this week apart from Ritesh Shah in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case.
