The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Friday filed an 11,700-page chargesheet against 33 persons, including actress Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik, in an alleged drug smuggling case. Eight of the accused are currently in judicial custody while the rest are out on bail.
The chargesheet has been filed by the NCB’s Mumbai Zonal Unit. The case is an off-shoot of a money laundering probe initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) based on an FIR registered by the Patna police on July 25, 2020.
The police case was lodged by late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s father, who accused Ms. Chakraborty and others of abetment of suicide, criminal conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust, theft, wrongful restraint and confinement. It was later taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The ED retrieved some WhatsApp chats indicating to the purported role of drug peddlers. The details were shared with the NCB, which also found prima facie evidence of offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
During the NCB investigation, the agency arrested Ms. Chakraborty and her brother in September 2020. Sushant Singh Rajput’s housekeeping manager, Samuel Miranda, and a staff member, Dipesh Sawant, were also arrested, apart from several alleged drug peddlers.
The agency effected multiple seizures of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, electronic gadgets and cash, including foreign currency.
“The technical gadgets and mobile phones were analysed and the relevant incriminating evidence regarding the sale, purchase, procurement, consumption and possession of narcotics drugs were extracted. The seized drugs were sent for chemical examination,” said an official.
The NCB official said the case was thoroughly investigated on the basis of seizures effected from accused persons, voluntary disclosure statements and technical evidence, that is, connectivity through call details, WhatsApp chats, details of bank accounts/ financial transactions, and other oral and documentary proof.
“On conclusion of further investigations, supplementary chargesheets will be filed as per law,” said the official.