A gifted, talented artiste has died under unusual circumstances, it needs to be probed: SC on Sushant death case

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 5

The Centre has in principle accepted the Bihar Government's recommendation for a CBI probe into actor Sushant Singh Rajput's unnatural death, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

"The matter is now in public domain," Mehta told a Single Judge Bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy during hearing of a petition filed by actor Rhea Chakraborty seeking to transfer an FIR registered against her in Patna to Mumbai.

"Till the CBI takes over the investigation, the Mumbai Police should not do anything which will amount to destruction of evidence," Mehta said, adding, "If allowed, we will release notification for CBI probe by the end of the day."

Mehta said the Centre should be allowed to be impleaded in the matter.

While asking the Mumbai Police to file an affidavit to satisfy the court that it has handled the case in a professional manner, the Bench posted the matter for further hearing next week. It asked all the parties to file their replies in three days.

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During the hearing the Bench said, "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."

The top court pulled up the Mumbai Police for putting a senior Bihar Police officer in quarantine.

"It doesn't send a right message. He was there to do his job. You must do everything in a professional manner. Protect all evidence," said Justice Roy even as Maharashtra Government counsel alleged that actions of the Bihar Police were politically motivated.

Under the CrPC, it was only the Mumbai Police that had duty, power and function to register and investigate the case, the Maharashtra Government counsel submitted.

Justice Roy: Bihar police have already entrusted investigation to the CBI. SG Mehta has stated that in principle centre has accepted the CBI probe request. 

The Mumbai Police have been investigating the case since June 14 when Rajput (34) was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in the western metropolis. 

Last week, Rajput’s father KK Singh filed the criminal complaint in Patna against Chakraborty and six others, including her family members, accusing them of abetting the actor’s suicide. Rea wanted the Patna case to be transferred to Mumbai.

On behalf of Rea, senior advocate Shyam Divan urged the court to ensure that no coercive action was taken against her.

But the Bench said, "We will only say investigation in accordance with law by competent authority."

Rea has contended that she has been falsely implicated in the case.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi represented the Bihar Government, which has filed a caveat in the matter. He wanted the court to hear it next week.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh appeared for Rajput's father who has filed a caveat in the matter to pre-empt any ex-parte order.

"How is it that the entire Bollywood film industry is being called for questioning by the Mumbai Police, but the person who lowered body from ceiling has been allowed to go to Hyderabad..." asked Singh.

He urged the court to direct the Mumbai Police to assist the Bihar Police while the matter was being heard by SC. "Their entire attempt is to destroy evidence by disabling the Patna Police," he submitted.

The Bihar Government too filed a caveat in Rhea Chakraborty's petition to support Rajput's father in the top court and to oppose her plea for transfer of case filed in Patna to Mumbai.

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