Only role is purchase of small quantity of drugs for Sushant Singh Rajput, offence is bailable: Rhea Chakraborty’s bail application

After the Special NDPS Court rejected their bail pleas on September 11, Rhea Chakraborty and her sibling Showik have filed individual bail applications before the Bombay High Court in the ongoing drug case against them..The application filed by the Bollywood actress through Advocates Anandini Fernandes and Namita Maneshinde enlists 51 grounds for bail..Here are some of the grounds invoked in the bail application..The applications point out how other co-accused were released on bail despite the their being found in possession of some amount of substance. It was further pointed out that a case under Section 27A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which provides for imprisonment of upto ten years for financing illicit traffic and harbouring offenders, was not made out against them. There was no recovery of commercial quantities of illicit substances from the duo, the applications aver. Further, it is stated that Rhea was only involved in the financing of procurement of drugs for Sushant Singh Rajput, and that he had been consuming drugs long before their relationship began..Rhea’s application particularly points out how she was summoned for interrogation for three days and there was no female officer present for her interrogation. She has also alleged that she was not given access to legal advice during the long hours she was interrogated, and that she was coerced into make self-incriminatory confessions..It is stated that the “purchase of a small quantity of drugs” for the consumer would attract Section 20(b)(ii)(A), for which punishment is only for a year or fine, or both. Therefore, the charges against them are for offences which are bailable in nature..The application reiterates that whatever small quantity allegedly purchased by Rhea was not for her or her brother's consumption..There are several grounds relying on various case laws and statutes to build the argument that the intention of the NDPS Act is to punish severe offenders severely, and to give milder punishments to slight offenders. They have argued in their application that since their offences are less severe in nature, they can be granted bail..It is highlighted that the siblings have been co-operating with the investigative agencies right from the beginning..Both Rhea and Showik have assured through their applications that they will continue co-operating with all the agencies. They have reassured that their family and themselves have firm roots in the society and permanent residency in Mumbai and that they would not flee..Rhea has also expressed apprehensions regarding her bodily safety due to the constant rape and death threats she has been receiving. She has also raised concerns for her mental health due to the ongoing investigation with three other agencies and a media trial being conducted. Further, extending her custody at a time when COVID-19 cases are on the rise would pose a threat to her physical health as well, it is stated..The bail applications were listed for hearing today before Justice SV Kotwal. However, after today was declared a holiday, these applications will be taken up for hearing tomorrow. .Advocate Satish Maneshinde will appear on behalf of Rhea and Showik.