‘Five years of scrutiny, no evidence’: Why Rhea Chakraborty was at the centre of a witch hunt

Mumbai: Nearly five years after Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's tragic death, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially filed closure reports, ruling out foul play. The case, which became a national spectacle, saw conspiracy theories, media trials, and multiple investigations into allegations ranging from abetment to suicide to financial fraud and drug abuse.

As the dust settles, Rhea Chakraborty—who was at the centre of the controversy—has been legally cleared, with her lawyer Satish Maneshinde stating: "I have been saying from day one that Rhea Chakraborty had nothing to do with Sushant Singh Rajput's death... It was a pure case of suicide."

Sushant Singh Rajput’s death and the media trial

On June 14, 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput, 34, was found dead in his Bandra apartment. Initial reports indicated suicide by hanging, and the Mumbai Police launched an investigation. His post-mortem report, conducted at Cooper Hospital, confirmed asphyxia due to hanging, with no external injuries or signs of foul play.

However, the case quickly spiraled into a media frenzy, with news outlets broadcasting unverified claims, fueling speculation and conspiracy theories about murder, professional rivalries, and Bollywood nepotism.

Allegations against Rhea Chakraborty

The narrative took a dramatic turn in July 2020, when Sushant’s father, KK Singh, filed an FIR in Patna against Rhea Chakraborty and her family. The accusations included:

• Abetment of suicide
• Criminal breach of trust
• Financial fraud (alleging Rhea siphoned off ₹15 crore)
• Wrongful confinement

The complaint prompted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate alleged money laundering, questioning Rhea and her brother Showik Chakraborty.

In September 2020, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested Rhea in a drug-related case linked to Sushant. She was accused of procuring drugs for him and allegedly being part of a Bollywood drug syndicate. Rhea spent 27 days in Mumbai’s Byculla Jail before being granted bail in October, with the Bombay High Court ruling that she was not part of any drug cartel.

Meanwhile, Rhea also filed a counter FIR against Sushant’s sisters, Priyanka and Meetu Singh, accusing them of procuring medicines for him using a forged prescription, leading to his mental health deterioration.

CBI’s investigation and AIIMS report

Following pressure from Sushant’s family and public outcry, the Supreme Court transferred the case to the CBI. The agency re-registered the Patna FIR, officially taking over the probe.

A forensic panel from AIIMS, led by Dr. Sudhir Gupta, analyzed evidence and concluded in October 2020 that Sushant's death was a case of suicide. Their findings ruled out poisoning or strangulation, contradicting claims of murder.

Key observations in the AIIMS report:

• No external injuries apart from hanging marks
• No signs of struggle
• No toxic substances in his body

This report became a crucial turning point in the CBI’s investigation.

The role of scial media and conspiracy theories

The case also became a high-profile media trial, with certain news channels aggressively pushing unproven theories, often portraying Rhea as a villain. Allegations of black magic, financial fraud, and murder were broadcast without evidence, influencing public opinion.

The coverage was so intense that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Bombay High Court, arguing that the media’s behavior could derail the investigation. In response, the court ruled that media trials in Sushant’s case were "contemptuous" and could obstruct the administration of justice.

CBI’s closure report: No foul play

The CBI has now submitted two closure reports—one on the abetment to suicide allegations filed by Sushant’s father and another on Rhea’s complaint against his sisters.

Findings from the CBI closure report:

• No evidence that anyone instigated Sushant to die by suicide
• No proof of financial fraud by Rhea Chakraborty
• AIIMS medical opinion dismissed claims of poisoning or strangulation

The reports were submitted in courts in Patna (on KK Singh’s complaint) and Mumbai (on Rhea’s complaint). The courts will now decide whether to accept the reports or order further investigations.

What happens next?

With the CBI officially closing the case, the legal battles may be over, but the damage caused by the media circus remains. Rhea Chakraborty, once vilified, now stands legally vindicated after years of public scrutiny and imprisonment.

Her lawyer Satish Maneshinde summed it up:
 "CBI has interrogated Rhea and her family for years and filed this report. But I have maintained from day one—Rhea had no connection with this. It was a pure case of suicide."

As the case officially comes to a close, one lingering question remains—will public perception ever change, or has the damage already been done?