Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Supreme Court delivered a strong rebuke to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday, criticizing its petition challenging the Bombay High Court’s cancellation of lookout circulars issued against actor Rhea Chakraborty and her family after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Frivolous Appeal Due to High-Profile Accused
A bench led by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan called the appeal “frivolous,” suggesting it was pursued merely because the accused involved are high-profile individuals. “This petition is frivolous… filed only because one of the accused is a high-profile person. It will be dismissed with exemplary cost,” Justice Gavai remarked, emphasizing that both Rhea Chakraborty and her family have “deep roots in society.”
Lookout Circulars Quashed Due to Lack of Justification
The CBI had initially issued lookout circulars in 2020 against Ms. Chakraborty, her brother Showik, and their parents following a complaint from Mr. Rajput’s family. The Bombay High Court, however, quashed the circulars, noting a lack of justification for such measures and pointing out that Ms. Chakraborty and her family had fully cooperated with the investigation.
Money Laundering Allegations
In 2020, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also launched a money-laundering probe, focusing on Ms. Chakraborty’s financial activities, after allegations emerged that ₹15 crore had been transferred from Rajput’s account. However, no conclusive evidence was found linking her to the alleged transactions, with the Supreme Court now delivering a relief to her and her family.
