On March 22, 2025, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed closure reports in the death case of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, nearly five years after he was found dead in his Bandra apartment on June 14, 2020. According to sources, the reports, submitted to a special court in Mumbai, concluded that no evidence of foul play was involved in Rajput's death, which has been classified as a suicide.
The CBI took over the investigation in August 2020 after Rajput's father, KK Singh, lodged a First Information Report (FIR) in Patna, accusing his son’s then-girlfriend, actress Rhea Chakraborty, and others of abetting suicide, financial misconduct, and mental harassment. Chakraborty countered with a complaint claiming that Rajput’s sisters had fraudulently secured a medical prescription for him. These events fueled extensive media coverage and public interest, leading to various conspiracy theories, including suggestions of black magic.
The agency's closure reports come after an exhaustive investigation during which forensic specialists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) examined the case. They dismissed claims of poisoning and strangulation, supporting the police's initial findings that no signs of forced entry were present and suggesting that depression might have contributed to Rajput's tragic decision. While his body was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan, no suicide note was found at the scene, leading many to question the circumstances surrounding his death.
In the wake of the announcement, Advocate Satish Maneshinde, representing Chakraborty, expressed gratitude to the CBI for their thorough investigation. "We are grateful to the CBI for having thoroughly investigated every aspect of the case from all angles and closed the case. The amount of false narrative in the social media and electronic media was totally uncalled for," he stated. He pointed out the societal pressures faced during the investigation period, claiming that innocent people were unfairly targeted.
Meanwhile, KK Singh articulated his disappointment with the CBI’s findings. He stated, "I hope that whatever comes out of the court will be right. And hopefully, it will come out soon," reflecting the emotional turmoil experienced by the family since Rajput’s death. Singh has consistently maintained that his son was not suicidal, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the CBI's inquiry.
The closure reports, however, did not occur in isolation. They coincided with ongoing tensions surrounding the death of Disha Salian, Rajput's former manager, which has sparked political controversy in Maharashtra. BJP leader Narayan Rane recently claimed that Uddhav Thackeray, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, had asked him not to implicate his son Aditya in discussions regarding Salian’s death. This allegation further complicates the public perception of high-profile involvement in the surrounding cases.
Salian’s father has sought a transfer of her case to the CBI, demanding an interrogation of prominent figures, including Aditya Thackeray, thereby further intertwining the investigations into both deaths.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the Bandra magistrate court is scheduled to hold a hearing on April 8 regarding the closure reports. The final decision, as to whether the reports will be accepted or if further investigations will be mandated, remains pending.
Rajput's death not only ignited intense media scrutiny but also sparked conversations about mental health and the pressures faced by public figures. The tragic event served as a wake-up call, prompting many to reflect on the often-hidden struggles individuals endure behind the facade of fame and success.
Rhea Chakraborty faced public backlash during the investigation, enduring significant distress, which included being imprisoned for 27 days. Following the CBI's conclusion, Chakraborty and her family have been cleared of the allegations against them. Her lawyer remarked on the relentless nature of media coverage during the investigation, stating, "Due to the pandemic, everyone was glued to the TV and social media... I hope this does not repeat in any case."
In reflecting on these tragic events, it remains evident that the impact of Sushant Singh Rajput's passing extends beyond the individual, sparking conversations on systemic issues within society and the accountability expected from those in the public eye. His family continues to seek justice and closure, hopeful that the forthcoming court proceedings will bring some resolution to the suffering they have endured since that fateful day in June 2020.
