FIRs & Nepotism Debates: What’s Happening A Week After Sushant Singh Rajput’s Death

Late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s sudden and tragic demise has left the industry as well as his fans in shock. Sushant was found hanging inside his Bandra apartment last Sunday, and his death has resurfaced conversations on nepotism and mental health.

Several industry insiders have out the hypocrisy of Bollywood’s elite, accusing them of alienating him and later posting ‘heartfelt tributes’ following his suicide. From director Abhinav Kashyap to late actor Jiah Khan’s mother, many have spoken about the treatment meted to the outsiders in the Indian film industry. In fact, some fans have gone as far as to suggest that Bollywood’s ‘elite cliques’ are responsible for the actor’s death.

Last week, an advocate from Bihar filed a case against Karan Johar, Salman Khan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Aditya Chopra, Sajid Nadiadwala, Bhushan Kumar, director Dinesh, and Ekta Kapoor. He claimed that it was because of systematic targeting of Sushant’s career by these people that he was driven to the brink. 

Now, it is the Kai Po Che actor’s rumoured girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, who is facing the ire of the fans. According to a report in the Press Trust of India, the actor has been accused of abetment of Sushant’s suicide. The case has been filed by one Kundan Kumar, a resident of Patahi locality in Muzaffarpur. He has filed the petition before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Mukesh Kumar, and the hearing for the same will be held on June 24.

According to media reports, Rhea was questioned by Mumbai Police for about nine hours last week. The police said on Saturday that it has recorded statements of 14 people known to the late actor in order to understand the reason behind his death. A police officer said recording statements of people close to a person who has died by suicide is established police protocol, adding that the department has spoken to the actor’s father, his two sisters, his friend and creative manager Siddharth Pithani, manager Sandeep Sawant, friend and actor Mahesh Shetty, casting director Mukesh Chabbra, business manager Shruti Modi, public relations manager Ankita Tehlani, actor Rhea Chakraborty, a key maker and two house staff.

Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh said on Saturday that the deputy police commissioner (Zone 9) and his team were investigating “all aspects related to the case and the truth will come to the fore soon”.

It is important to note that Sushant family has not filed any cases that suggest they suspect foul play in connection to the actor’s death. An officer investigating the case, requesting anonymity, said, “None of the family members or friends has levelled any allegation.” 

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