In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Maharashtra state, and the Bureau of Immigration that challenged the Bombay High Court’s decision to quash look-out circulars (LOCs) issued against actress Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik, and her father, Lt Col Indrajit Chakraborty (retd). These LOCs were initially issued in 2020 as part of the investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, deemed the CBI’s petition “frivolous,” suggesting that it was filed solely because the accused were “high-profile” individuals. “We are warning you,” Justice Gavai remarked, according to Live Law. “You are filing such a frivolous petition, only because one of the accused is a high-profile person…It will be with exemplary cost.”
High Court’s Quashing of LOCs
The Bombay High Court had previously quashed the LOCs against Rhea and her family, allowing them to travel abroad and revoking restrictions imposed during the investigation. The LOCs were lifted shortly after the High Court granted temporary relief in December, allowing Rhea Chakraborty to attend an event in Dubai despite opposition from the CBI.
The LOCs, typically issued by investigative agencies, are used to alert the Bureau of Immigration to prevent individuals from leaving the country or, in some cases, to detain them. Rhea’s legal team argued that the LOCs were unwarranted as no concrete evidence suggested she or her family intended to evade court or obstruct the investigation.
Concerns Over Case’s Prolonged Status
During previous hearings, the High Court questioned the rationale for issuing LOCs simply due to an FIR. The court also expressed concerns over the CBI’s extended delay in filing a charge sheet since the FIR was registered in 2020. “Finality in legal proceedings” was emphasized by the bench as they called for an end to the ongoing procedural delays.
Sushant Singh Rajput’s Death and Investigation
Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence in Mumbai on June 14, 2020. His death sparked widespread media coverage and public speculation, leading to investigations by multiple agencies, including the CBI and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The CBI began its investigation following an FIR initially registered in Patna by Rajput’s family, which was later transferred to the agency by the Supreme Court.
Rhea Chakraborty, who was in a relationship with Sushant Singh Rajput at the time of his death, has been under public scrutiny since the beginning of the investigation, and her legal team has repeatedly contested the allegations and restrictions imposed on her family.
Moving Forward
The Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the CBI’s appeal and describe the case as “frivolous” is a relief for the Chakraborty family. This ruling underscores the court’s stance against legal actions driven by high-profile status rather than substantial evidence, potentially marking a turning point in the high-profile case that has captivated public attention for over three years.
Sources By Agencies