Fresh chats reveal Sushant's staffer discussed work on June 14

According to the purported WhatsApp exchange, Dipesh had sent a message to Sushant's friend Kushal Zaveri at around 11 am on June 14 for a possible work collaboration.

Dipesh's message read, "Hi sir, SSR asked me to get in touch with you regarding the (company name)."

Kushal had replied around 2:30 pm, inquiring whether Sushant "Bhai" was safe or not.

Kushal's message to Dipesh read, "Bhai is safe no...Please reply yes or no...Bhai we are outside, let me know if you need any help. Bhai ko koi help chahiye toh phone karna (sic)."

These messages have raised suspicion as earlier reports claimed that around 11 am that day, all members present in the house were trying to open Sushant's locked bedroom door.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which started investigating this case last month after a Supreme Court order, questioned actor Rhea Chakraborty for around eight hours yesterday.

Rhea, who had been dating Sushant, left his house on June 8.

Her brother Showik, Sushant's former manager Shruti Modi, and staff members Samuel Miranda and Keshav were also reportedly questioned by the central probing agency.

In another development, Shruti Modi's lawyer has claimed Sushant had been consuming drugs before entering into a relationship with Rhea.

The lawyer added that the actor threw regular parties at his residence, where substance abuse took place, adding that one of his sisters also often attended these parties.

Notably, the Narcotics Control Bureau is probing an alleged drug abuse angle in the case.

Sushant was found dead at his apartment in Mumbai's Bandra on June 14.

The Mumbai Police said it was suicide and subsequently registered an accidental death report.

Mumbai cops also said that Sushant had been undergoing treatment for clinical depression and bipolar disorder.

Rhea Chakraborty has been accused by Sushant's family of mental harassment, money laundering and abetment to the actor's suicide.