Sushant S Rajput's family files caveat in SC, apex court rules out CBI probe; ED may file money-laundering case

The impending investigation into the tragic death of Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput has taken a fresh turn. In a new development, as per the news agency PTI, law-enforcement agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) has written to Bihar police, seeking a copy of the FIR filed by Rajput's father. Officials also suggest that ED may file a PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) case.

The ED's interest, officials said, is into the allegations of alleged mishandling of Rajput's money and his bank accounts. The agency will probe if anyone used Rajput's income for money laundering and creating illegal assets, they said. The ED can attach assets of the accused and also has the power to make arrests under the PMLA.


In another development, on Thursday, Rajput’s father, KK Singh, filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. According to a report in the Times of India, the caveat has been filed by Rajput’s family in the apex court to not allow Rhea’s petition to be heard before theirs in the court. In legal terms, a caveat is a notice given by a person, informing the court that another person may file an application against them. The person who files the caveat, known as the Caveator, is ensuring that the court will hold a reasonable hearing before taking any decisions.


The report also states that the lawyer for Rajput’s family, Vikas Singh, will be present throughout all the proceedings.

Earlier on Thursday while speaking to PTI, lawyer Vikas Singh said, “If she (Rhea) has moved the apex court, she should have filed a petition seeking CBI investigation. FIR is registered in Patna, now she (Rhea) has filed a petition in Supreme Court seeking stay and transfer of investigation to Mumbai. Isse jyada kya proof chahiye ki (what more proof is needed that) somebody in Mumbai Police is helping her.”

"Let nothing be done in the above matter without prior notice to the undersigned" Sushant Singh Rajput's father Krishna Kishore Singh said in his caveat filed.

In another development, according to a report in TimesNow, SC has refused to entertain a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) seeking a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into Rajput's death. While rejecting the PIL, Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde said: "Let the police do their job."

A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said that Mumbai police be allowed to do the job and if there is something, then a plea be filed before the Bombay High Court.

"Go to Bombay High Court if you have anything concrete to show," the bench said when the counsel for PIL petitioner Alka Priya sought the CBI probe into the death of the actor.


Meanwhile, the Bihar police is interrogating Rajput's cook at an unknown location.

After Rajput's father registered the FIR, a four-member team from Patna was sent to Mumbai to collect all evidence related to the ‘Kedarnath’ actor’s death.

The police had registered an FIR against Chakraborty and five other individuals under IPC Section 306 (Abetment of suicide), Sec 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), Sec 342 (Punishment for wrongful confinement), Sec 380 (Theft in dwelling house), Sec 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), and Sec 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property).

Known for films like "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story" and "Kedarnath", Rajput was found hanging at his Bandra home on June 14. Initial reports suggested that the actor had allegedly died of suicide. No suicide note was found in Rajput’s apartment. His post-mortem report said that he had died of asphyxiation.

The actor was cremated at the Vile Parle crematorium on June 15 amid heavy downpour.

Clarification: The earlier version of this copy erroneously mentioned Pawan Hans crematorium. Pawan Hans Limited has clarified that Pawan Hans is their registered Trademark and it has nothing to do with the Vile Parle crematorium.