SSR case: Rhea, Showik to remain imprisoned till October 20
What's the story
Actor Rhea Chakraborty and her brother, Showik, will remain in prison till October 20, in the drug case linked to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death. The siblings are accused of procuring banned substances like marijuana and being in touch with drug peddlers. This development came after a forensics team of AIIMS ruled out the possibility of murder in Sushant's case. Here's more.
Context
Sushant's demise in June triggered controversy; central agencies joined probe
Days after Sushant, a promising Bollywood actor was found dead inside his Mumbai home, the Enforcement Directorate launched a probe when his family alleged Rhea cheated him of crores. Further, following nationwide outrage, the Supreme Court ordered CBI to probe the matter. Later, NCB also joined the investigation as a drug angle surfaced. After days of interrogation, the siblings were arrested separately.
Plea
Earlier, Rhea claimed Sushant used people to sustain drug habit
In custody since September 8, Rhea had filed a bail plea last month, highlighting the vilification she was subjected to. She also said Sushant exploited loved ones for his addiction. "It is unfortunate that Sushant Singh Rajput took advantage of those closest to him to sustain his drug habit and thought it fit to expose them to the perils that would entail," she said.
Argument
Sushant was drug consumer, wouldn't have faced harsh punishment: Rhea
Rhea said, in the 47-page-long plea, that had Sushant been alive today, he would have served merely one year in prison. She, on the other hand, who is accused of procuring drugs, could be in jail for 20 years, she exclaimed. "Sushant Singh Rajput was the only consumer of drugs and he was directing his staff members to procure his drugs," she added.
Details
In the drug case, Deepika Padukone has also been grilled
The bail plea added, "The prosecution surprisingly has not disclosed a single phone call, mobile call, SMS, WhatsApp message or email of Sushant Singh Rajput as to how he procured his drugs for his own consumption, rather than blaming his entire staff, Rhea, and Showik." Notably, the drug probe was intensified after Rhea's arrest, with Bollywood biggies like Deepika Padukone also being questioned.
Report
Sushant wasn't murdered, died by suicide: AIIMS panel chief
Meanwhile, the AIIMS panel's conclusion about Sushant's suicide sparked conspiracy theories, but Dr. Sudhir Gupta, who headed the team, said there is no evidence to suggest the actor was murdered. "We investigated all doubts and came with this opinion. Now, there should be no doubts. It was a seven-member team of doctors who came to this conclusion that SSR died by suicide," he stated.