CBI Closes Sushant Singh Rajput death case
CBI Closes Investigation, Exonerates Rhea Chakraborty in Death of Sushant Singh Rajput
“He has been cleared of all charges, based on the evidence we have collected and the investigation so far,” Rhea Chakraborty’s lawyer had said of the Bollywood actor, Sushant Singh Rajput’s death investigation parameters after questioning ended. The decision, announced Saturday, concludes an almost five-year investigation launched after Rajput died on June 14, 2020, in his Mumbai apartment. The CBI submitted closure reports before a court in Mumbai, mentioning that they found no foul play and no evidence of wrongdoing. This moves to resolve a case that created a national debate and media frenzy across India.
Background of the Case: An Extended Journey
Sushant Singh Rajput, a burgeoning talent known for movies like “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story,” was 34 when he was found dead. Mumbai police’s initial reports deemed it a suicide, but Rajput’s family disagreed. In July 2020, his father, KK Singh, had filed a complaint in Patna. He alleged that Chakraborty and others had abetted suicide, committed financial fraud and caused mental harassment. Following public outcry and legal battles, the case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020. A second case emerged when Chakraborty lodged a counter-complaint, accusing Rajput’s sisters of using a fake medical prescription. Both probes have now closed, with no evidence to substantiate either claim.
Investigation Details: No Foul Play Found
After all, the CBI had spent more than four years probing Rajput’s death. They examined everything — his finances, his relationships, his health records. They were assisted by a forensic team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Its report discounted murder, poisoning or strangulation. Instead, it supported the suicide finding. “We exhausted all possibilities,” a CBI source said on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly. “There was no conspiracy, there was no crime. The closure reports, submitted in courts in Mumbai and Patna, exonerate Chakraborty, her family and others accused in the FIRs. Among them are Rajput’s sister, Priyanka Singh, and a doctor named in Chakraborty’s complaint.
Public Response and Rhea’s Relief
The case captured the Indian public’s imagination, in part because of wall-to-wall media coverage and rampant online speculation. Counts accused Chakraborty without evidence, ruining her career and life. In 2020, she was in jail for 27 days in connection with a separate drug probe by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), but no charges there stuck. Her lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, said he was happy with the CBI’s decision. “We thank CBI for a detailed investigation that cleanses Rhea,” PTI quoted him as saying. “She had suffered what is literally unexplainable but truth prevails.” The Bombay High Court had previously described media trials in the case as “contemptuous” in 2021, noting the need for fairness. Now Chakraborty can take the next steps in her life, and in fact already has, with her career as an actor again on the restart.
What’s Next: Closure or More Questions?
The CBI’s last act doesn’t completely close the story. The reports will have to be accepted or rejected by the courts in Mumbai and Patna. If it is approved, the case is officially closed. If not, more investigation may ensue. The findings can also be contested by Rajput’s family in a higher court through a protest petition. KK Singh has long maintained that his son did not die by suicide, suggesting there was mistrust in the CBI’s work. Meanwhile, some fans continue to propagate conspiracy theories online, connecting politicians or Bollywood insiders to the death. For now, the legal chapter appears closed, though the debate over the case will likely endure. Chakraborty, absolved of guilt, may now find some peace after years in the glare.
This makes both wider questions — about media responsibility, about mental health in India’s film industry — feel urgent. Rajput’s death put difficult questions into discussion about young stars under pressure. The CBI’s verdict might silence a few voices, but it won’t make go the emotional scar that is etched into the lives of his fans and family. As judicial authorities determine the next course of action, many are hoping that this brings closure to a painful saga that rattled Bollywood and beyond.