[Breaking] Sushant Singh Rajput: "Everyone has an opinion, but we will proceed as per law", SC observes as Centre agrees to CBI probe

The Supreme Court was informed today that the Centre has accepted the Bihar government's request for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput..The submission was made during the hearing of the plea filed by Rhea Chakraborty seeking the transfer of the cases filed against her in relation to Rajput's death, from Bihar to Mumbai. A Single Judge Bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy heard the matter today..At the start of the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union of India, told the Court that the Centre had accepted the Bihar government’s recommendation for a CBI probe into the case..Appearing for Chakraborty, Senior Advocate Shyam Divan said,"We were apprehensive because a four member police team from Bihar had come to Mumbai and sought help. There are several statements including Rhea's post the suicide. Police commissioner says 56 statements have been already recorded.".Taking note of the SG's submission, Justice Roy went on to observe,."Rajput was a talented artist who passed away under unusual circumstances. Now whether there is criminality involved needs to be investigated...now everyone has an opinion about high profile cases but we will proceed as per law."Justice Hrishikesh Roy.At this point, Divan sought an order of protection for Chakraborty. However, this was opposed by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the family of Sushant Singh Rajput. He said,"There should be no protective order as evidence will be tampered with."Singh also pointed out developments in the investigation by the Bihar Police."Evidence is being destroyed in the case. The investigating officer was quarantined. This is unbelievable.".While Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the State of Bihar, asked that the matter be taken up next week, Singh sought to be heard today since the FIR was on record. However, Justice Roy shot back,"I have read the FIR and relevant provisions of CrPC. I know what I am dealing with.".Appearing for the State of Maharashtra, Senior Advocate R Basant submitted,"There is no cause of action for Patna Police to register the FIR. Nothing has happened in Patna. This is a political case.".Expressing that it was unsure as to whether the unnatural death case lodged by the Mumbai Police covered all aspects, the Court noted,"The quarantining of the Bihar police does not send a good message...Especially when the case has garnered so much media attention? State of Maharashtra has to ensure that everything is done in professional way."Basant, however, insisted that the Mumbai Police was doing its job."[As per] Concept of federalism, two police cannot interfere in each other's job. I can place all records to substantiate that we are doing a very professional job.".SG Mehta then intervened,"One party wants Mumbai Police to investigate and other wants Bihar Police. Here, Centre wants to investigate so that no evidence is destroyed.".When Basant questioned the notion that evidence may be destroyed, Rohatgi said,"By listening to Senior Advocate Basant, it feels like he is arguing for petitioners."Basant retorted,"Don't make such wild allegations. Bihar Police has itself given up and now arguing against us?".Singh then said,"Under Section 174 of CrPC, it is clear that only Patna Police can investigate and not Mumbai Police. No cognizable case registered in Mumbai."He went on to add,."The entire Bollywood film industry has been called for questioning and recording statements by Mumbai Police, but the person who lowered the body of Sushant Singh Rajput from the ceiling fan has been allowed to go to Hyderabad."Vikas Singh.SG Mehta then requested the Court to add the Union of India as a party to the case. The Court asked the Centre to file an impleadment application..The Bench went on to note in its order,."Serious allegations have been leveled against the petitioner. She has applied for transfer of proceedings from Patna to Mumbai...Bihar Police has already entrusted investigation to CBI. SG Mehta has stated that in principle, Centre has accepted the CBI probe request."Supreme Court.The Court gave three days for all parties to file replies. The State of Maharashtra has been directed to update the Court on the status of the Mumbai Police's investigation. The matter will be heard next week..Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty had moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the case lodged against her and others in relation to the suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput from Patna to Mumbai..Sushant Singh Rajput suicide: Rhea Chakraborty moves SC seeking transfer of investigation from Patna to Mumbai; cites death, rape threats.The transfer petition filed through Advocate Malak Manish Bhatt states that the FIR in Patna alleging abetment to suicide charges against Chakraborty is nothing but an act of "connivance" between the State of Bihar and the father of the late Sushant Singh Rajput..The plea urges the Court to transfer the FIR registered at Rajeev Nagar Police Station in Patna and all consequent proceedings from the jurisdiction of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Patna Sadar to the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bandra, Mumbai..The death of Sushant Singh Rajput: Allegations of nepotism and locus standi to file criminal complaints.It is averred that the ACM Bandra has jurisdiction over Bandra Police Station, where the first ‘Unnatural Death Report’ as per Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was lodged on June 14, when the actor's suicide came to light.The petition states that Chakraborty has been falsely implicated in the case, and that Rajput and her were in a live-in relationship up till June 8, after which Chakraborty had temporarily shifted to her own residence in Mumbai..The plea goes on to claim,"Deceased was suffering from depression from some time and was also on anti-depressants and he committed suicide on the morning of June 14 at his Bandra residence by hanging himself.".The petition highlights Section 177 CrPC, which mandates that every offence shall be inquired into and tried by the Magistrate within whose local jurisdiction it was committed."Assuming that the there is an iota of truth in the case registered by State of Bihar, the offence would still have entirely been committed within the jurisdiction of Mumbai police," says the plea..The state governments of Bihar and Maharashtra have already filed caveats in the Apex Court seeking to be heard before any order is passed on Chakraborty’s plea.Krishna Kishore Singh, father of the late actor, has also filed a caveat in the matter..Chakraborty has mentioned that post Rajput's suicide, she has "received various death and rape threats and she is in deep trauma due to loss of deceased, which has multiplied further due to the media sensitivity of the case."She has also filed a complaint at Santa Cruz Police Station regarding these threats.On these grounds and others, Chakraborty has sought the transfer of the case from Patna to Mumbai. As interim relief, she has prayed for a stay on all proceedings and coercive actions that may arise out of the FIR..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.