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    Sushant Singh Rajput death case: NCB not planning to challenge bail granted to Rhea Chakraborty in drug probe

    Synopsis

    The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has informed the Supreme Court that it is not challenging the bail granted to Rhea Chakraborty in relation to the drugs-related probe in connection with the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and is only challenging the interpretation of Section 27-A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

    ​The NCB has charged Rhea Chakraborty under the stringent Section 27-A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act that pertains to "financing and harbouring illegal drug trafficking."​Agencies
    The NCB has charged Rhea Chakraborty under the stringent Section 27-A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act that pertains to "financing and harbouring illegal drug trafficking."
    The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that it was not challenging the bail granted to Bollywood diva Rhea Chakraborty in relation to the drugs investigation involving the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

    Addressing the SC bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh, the Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said that NCB is not challenging the bail, but wants to keep the question of law open regarding Section 27-A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

    After almost a month in Byculla jail, the Bombay High Court granted bail to the actress in October 2020 in the drugs-related case. The court has instructed the 28-year-old to surrender her passport and furnish a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh.

    The NCB has charged Chakraborty with "financing and harbouring illegal drug trafficking," which can result in imprisonment of up to 10 years and a bar on grant of bail. However, while granting bail to the actress, the Bombay HC had ruled that merely paying for a specific drug transaction does not qualify as financing drug trafficking.

    It stated, "The allegations against the applicant of spending money in procuring drugs for Sushant Singh Rajput will not, therefore, mean that she had financed illicit traffic." The court also clarified that harbouring an offender, as described under the Act, would involve providing money for the person's drug consumption while offering shelter and food.

    Taking note of the central agency's submission, the top court clarified that the Bombay HC judgement shall not be treated as a precedent in any other case.

    "Having heard the ASG, at this stage the challenge to the impugned order in so far as grant of bail may not be required. However, the question of law raised is left open to be considered in an appropriate case and as such the judgement may not be treated as a precedent in any other case," the bench was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

    Meanwhile, Chakraborty has resumed her professional life after a difficult media trial. She is now part of the 'MTV Roadies – Karm ya Kaand'. She joins gang leaders such as Prince Narula, Gautam Gulati and Sonu Sood for the 19th season of the reality show.

    During one of the auditions, the actress recalled what she went through in the past and her days of struggle. She said that many people told her many things but she will not accept those labels or what people say about her. She said that she cannot keep thinking about what others tell her and can't let others dictate her life.

    Rajput, 34, was found hanging at his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14, 2020.

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