Shushant Singh Rajput Case: Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe

In a major development, the Single Judge Bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy approved the ongoing CBI investigation in connection with the death of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput

The Supreme Court further stated that no appeal will be entertained against its order. It has accordingly directed Mumbai Police to hand over all the evidences and assist CBI in its investigation. 

The Court also put a full stop on the controversies surrounding the question of territorial jurisdiction. It held that the FIR registered by Patna Police against Rhea Chakraborty and five others is Valid. 

The bench relied on the precedent laid down in Lalita Kumari Vs State of UP to emphasize the point that registration of FIR is mandated when information on cognizable offence is received by the police. 

…..“Precedents suggest that at the stage of investigation, it cannot be said that the concerned police station does not have territorial jurisdiction to investigate the case”.

Ms Rhea Chakraborty had moved Supreme Court on July 30 seeking transfer of the case lodged by Shushant Singh’s father (Mr. KK Singh) at the Rajiv Nagar Police Station in Patna. 

The said FIR booked Rhea Chakraborty and five others under Sections 341 (Wrongful Restraint) 342 (Wrongful Confinement), 380 (Theft in Dwelling House), 406 (Criminal Breach of Trust), 420 (Cheating), 306 (Abetment of Suicide), 506 (Criminal intimidation) and 120B (Criminal Conspiracy).

As the said FIR contained allegations for criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of money, the Apex Court referred to Section 181 and made the following observation:

“When misappropriation and criminal breach of trust is alleged in respect of the assets of the deceased actor and the concerned property relatable to the alleged offence, will have to be accounted eventually to the Complainant (as a Class I legal heir of the deceased), the action of the Patna Police is contended to be within jurisdiction, under Section 179 read with Section 181(4) of the CrPC which speaks of consequences ensuing at another place, as a result of the alleged crime”

Mumbai Police had earlier in an affidavit informed the Supreme Court that the initial statements made by Sushant’s family after his unnatural death on June 14 did not raise any suspicion about the cause of death for them to register an FIR in this case.

The Supreme Court addressed the apprehensions raised by the concerned stakeholders alleging unprofessional investigation done by Mumbai Police. It was of the view that steps taken by Mumbai Police in the limited inquiry under Section 174 CrPC may not be faulted on the material available before this Court.

Earlier this week, Rhea Chakraborty had released a statement in the media denying all the allegations leveled against her and had also strongly objected to the ongoing social media trial in this case.

Meanwhile, Advocate Vikas Singh (lawyer representing Sushant’s family) and the fans across the world welcomed the decision of the Court.