Here’s what has happened in the Sushant Singh Rajput case so far. (Photo: Instagram/sushantsinghrajput)
The death case of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput is turning a new corner every day. On Tuesday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that his government has sent a recommendation for a CBI probe into the case. This came after Sushant’s father spoke to the Bihar DGP and gave his consent for a CBI probe. Nitish Kumar shared on Twitter, “The state government has sent its recommendation for a CBI probe into the FIR registered by Sushant Singh Rajput’s father KK Singh.”
Meanwhile, Bihar Police has recorded the statement of Siddharth Pithani, Sushant’s friend and creative content manager. They also recorded the statement of the actor’s manager Deepesh Sawant.
Aaditya Thackeray also released a statement on the case that read, “I am not even remotely related to this matter. In fact, Bollywood is one of the most important parts of Mumbai city, thousands of people depend on it for their daily bread and butter. Obviously, I am closely related to many of them, and there is nothing wrong in it. Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise is not only very unfortunate but is also very tragic. Maharashtra police is investigating the matter. But those people who don’t believe in law and order are the same people who are talking in such a nonsensical manner. And while making wild allegations, are trying to mislead the investigation.”
“The people who are making baseless allegations should take note of this. Whoever has any kind of information regarding the case, they should only share it with the police. I assure you that police will definitely investigate whatever comes to their knowledge. Till now, I have been very patient regarding this matter. People should not be under the false impression that they can defame the government and the Thackeray family with their baseless allegations,” it further read.
On Tuesday, Mumbai Police appointed Grant Thornton as the forensic auditor in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, a police official told PTI.
A Mumbai Police official earlier told The Indian Express that Sushant had searched three items repeatedly on Google in the week preceding his suicide: his own name in news reports, the name of his former manager Disha Salian who had committed suicide the previous week, and information about a mental illness. The official said, “We found that Sushant knew there was talk linking him to Salian’s death and he was worried this speculation might reach the media. That is why he may have been searching online. These issues seem to have exacerbated his condition. He had Googled his own name a few hours before the suicide.”
Sushant Singh Rajput's Dil Bechara co-star Sanjana Sanghi shared a BTS video where the late actor and Sanghi could be seen prepping for a scene. Sanghi also posted a heartwarming note alongside the clip. Here's what it said:
Police sources said they put out the statement after Salian’s family wrote to an ACP on Wednesday seeking action against media, social media influencers and politicians for causing harassment to the family and defaming Salian.
A senior IPS officer said, “Several news items are shared on social media, newspapers, news channels about having confidential information about the case. Several people have linked it to the Sushant Singh Rajput case. We have not found anything to that effect as yet. Hence it is a request to anyone who has information about any aspect of the case to approach us with evidence.”
With rumours about the death of Disha Salian, linking it to Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide, Mumbai Police on Wednesday issued a press release asking anyone with information to assist the police with the investigation.
O P Singh, an IGP-rank Haryana cadre police officer posted as Commissioner of Police, Faridabad, had spoken to and corresponded with then DCP Zone IX P S Dahiya over WhatsApp. Screenshots of the messages seen by The Indian Express include one written to O P Singh by one of Rajput’s sisters, a Delhi-based lawyer, which too he had forwarded to Dahiya. The message names two of Rhea Chakraborty’s associates, accusing them of being part of a conspiracy “to destroy Sushant monetarily, mentally and physically”.
In February, four months before actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, his police officer brother-in-law O P Singh messaged a senior Mumbai police officer claiming that the family feared his life was “going downhill” and was at risk, and that he had “surrendered to a manipulative group of people”.
Rajput’s father K K Singh had earlier said that the reason he approached Bihar Police with a complaint against actor Rhea Chakraborty was that Mumbai Police had not acted on complaints sent to them as early as February. Read more here.
Sushant Singh Rajput’s sister Shweta Singh Kriti has expressed gratitude after the central government on Wednesday transferred the actor’s death case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Read more here
Can two different police forces investigate the same case? What is a Zero FIR? And, what happens next? Read in our Express Explained here
Actor Koena Mitra shared a news article of CBI taking over Sushant's case and tweeted along, "05.08.2020 You Won @itsSSR!! A new journey begins #CBIForSSRHomicideCase #SushanthSinghRajput #SushantDeathMystery #SushanthSinghRajput"
Sushant's sister Shweta Singh Kriti wrote in an Instagram post, "This definitely Cannot be a co-incidence. As the mantras were chanted...Steps towards Justice were taken! I love you God... I know ur with us. We are one step closer to finding the truth Bhai....❤️🙏#justiceforsushantsinghrajput #cbienquiryforsushant #faith @sushantsinghrajput"
Sushant's former girlfriend and actor Ankita Lokhande repied to Shweta's post with, "God is with us di ❤️"
PTI, in another tweet wrote, "ED summons Rhea Chakraborty on Aug 7 for questioning in money laundering probe linked to complaint by Sushant Singh Rajput's father: Officials"
Rhea will be questioned and her statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the officials said.
According to a PTI update, "CBI officials say agency will investigate Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's alleged suicide matter."
Quoting CBI sources, ANI tweeted, 'Central Bureau of Investigation has received notification from the central government and the agency will take up the investigation of #SushantSinghRajput's death case'
The BMC letter to Bihar Police read, "In a view of prevailing coronavirus pandemic situation in Bihar, it is advised that the officer can conduct his proceedings with various concerned officials of the Govt of Maharashtra on digital platforms such as Zoom/Google Meet/Jio Meet/ Microsoft Teams or other such digital platforms to interact. This will not only ensure that the officer does not transmit the infection (if at all he is asymptomatic) to the officials with whom he will contract."
Read more here
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in a reply to the Bihar Police, said Bihar IPS officer Vinay Tiwari should stay in quarantine and use digital platforms for his proceedings and interact with concerned officials.
Read more here
Actor Upen Patel tweeted, "The road to Justice begins for the family. The voice of the people has been heard. All those who sat in silence and now try to celebrate this big step. shame on you !!! #SushantSinghRajput"
According to People For Animals India, a feeding campaign was conducted in Bihar in the memory of Sushant Singh Rajput.
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri tweeted, "Great news: CBI inquiry in Sushant Singh Rajput’s mysterious death. Big defeat for the nexus of Maharashtra Government, Mumbai Police and Bollywood Mafia. Shocking truths to follow."