Following a plea made by Rhea Chakraborty, a special court gave her the access to her bank accounts after a year. The actress’ bank accounts were frozen after she was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in connection with a drugs case filed in relation to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death last year.
Along with this the court has also returned actress’ electronic gadgets which were seized during the course of investigation last year. NCB arrested Rhea and her brother, Showik, along with at least two dozen others September last year on charges of acquiring drugs for consumption for Rajput, who was found dead at his apartment in Mumbai on June 14, 2020.
Rhea and Showik have been on bail since October last year. In her first application to obtain access to her bank accounts, Rhea mentioned that she wants her account access for fulfilling various tax liabilities and to support her as well as her brother’s lifestyle. Having her accounts frozen for over 10 months caused her prejudice, she added.
The actress’ counsel Satish Maneshinde said that the NCB case will take time for disposal and it was not necessary to keep the accounts frozen. NCB’s counsel and special public prosecutor Atul Sarpande opposed the plea saying a probe into the financial transactions was going on and giving its access to Rhea could hamper the investigation.
The court later observed that the investigating officer said that he had left a decision on the matter to the discretion of the court. “From the reply of the officer, it appears that there is no strong objection from the respondent side for unfreezing the bank account and FDs (fixed deposits) of the applicant,” the court read in its order.
Therefore, Rhea is entitled to unfreezing the bank account and FDs subject to conditions, court added. The court however, directed the actress to give an undertaking supported by an affidavit stating that during the pendency and conclusion of the trial, she will make the balance amount, as shown on September 16, 2020, available for necessary orders.
The court separately gave an order that the electronic gadgets seized should be returned after due verification and identification upon executing a bond of ₹1 lakh. According to Sarpande a laboratory, where Rhea’s seized phone and laptop were sent for forensic analysis, has returned the items and she has been informed by the investigating officer in the case that she can collect them.
On orders of Supreme Court, The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is still separately probing abetment to suicide charges against Rhea, as alleged by Rajput’s family. The Enforcement Directorate and NCB are also investigating different aspects of the case.
