The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken a stand against granting relief to actor Rhea Chakraborty, who sought the suspension of a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued by the agency. This legal move stems from her involvement in a drug case registered by the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) in 2020 following the tragic death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
The CBI became involved when Rajput’s father filed an FIR in Patna, subsequently transferred to the CBI by the Supreme Court. During their investigation, the CBI issued LOCs against Rhea and her brother, Showik Chakraborty, preventing them from travelling abroad, even with court permission.
Advocates Abhinav Chandrachud and Prasanna Bhangale, representing Rhea Chakraborty, informed the court that although the CBI had registered the FIR, they never questioned Rhea or filed any chargesheet in the past three years. Rhea, seeking a temporary suspension of the LOC, expressed the need to travel to Dubai briefly for a brand endorsement.
Responding to these claims, the bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Shyam Chandak inquired about Rhea’s travel history. Chandrachud revealed that the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) court had granted permission for her to travel abroad twice, but the standing LOC prevented her from doing so.
Advocate Shreeram Shirsat, representing CBI, filed an affidavit opposing relief for Chakraborty. The CBI argued that the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court does not extend to a case filed in Patna and investigated by the CBI in Delhi. The court is set to hear the arguments on December 20.
Rhea Chakraborty Reflects on Jail Experience
In the aftermath of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death in 2020, Rhea Chakraborty faced criticism and spent 28 days in Byculla jail on charges related to procuring drugs for the late actor. Reflecting on her time in jail, Rhea shared, “So you are basically removed from society and put as a number in prison because you are deemed unfit for society. So there itself, this personality or these things you’ve created about yourself are completely broken. I was in an under-trial prison.”
