In a significant development, a special NDPS court in Mumbai has ordered the unfreezing of bank accounts belonging to actress Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, and their mother Sandhya. The accounts were frozen by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in 2020 during its investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. This ruling provides substantial relief to the Chakraborty family after years of legal battles.
Background of the Account Freeze
Following Sushant Singh Rajput's death in June 2020, the NCB launched a probe into allegations of a drug nexus in Bollywood. The agency claimed that Rhea and her brother were involved in a larger drug network. As part of the investigation, multiple bank accounts linked to the Chakraborty family were frozen. The NCB also filed a chargesheet alleging a conspiracy involving drug dealers. Several Bollywood celebrities were questioned during the probe.
Court's Rationale for Unfreezing
In four separate orders passed on Saturday, the NDPS court highlighted a critical procedural flaw. The court noted that the NCB failed to obtain approval from the competent authority within the time frame mandated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This lapse rendered the continued freezing of the accounts legally invalid. The court termed it a "serious lapse" and emphasized that the law limits the power to freeze property, with safeguards that were not followed in this case. The court allowed the petitions filed by Rhea and her family and directed the accounts to be unfrozen and operated as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines.
Legal Safeguards Emphasized
The court referred to a Bombay High Court judgment, underscoring that the power to freeze property is not absolute. Authorities must have a clear "reason to believe" that the property is linked to illegal activity and must report and confirm such actions within a stipulated time. Failure to do so renders the action invalid. The court did not examine the merits of the allegations against Rhea or her family, focusing solely on whether due legal procedure was followed.
Previous Legal Relief
This is not the first legal relief for Rhea. Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) gave her a clean chit, ruling out foul play in Sushant Singh Rajput's death and stating it was a suicide. Additionally, the Bombay High Court ordered the return of her passport, easing travel restrictions imposed during her bail period. Reacting to that, Rhea had shared on social media, "Patience was my only passport for the past 5 years. Countless battles. Endless hope. Today, I hold my passport again. Ready for my Chapter 2! Satyameva Jayate."
Future Prospects: Return to Work
On the professional front, Rhea is set to return to acting with a new project by filmmaker Hansal Mehta. She revealed initial hesitation but was encouraged by Mehta and the writer. In an interview with Hindustan Times, she said, "Hansal sir and the writer asked me what was stopping me. I told them I had left acting and they said that's all the more reason I should do it... Now I'm glad I said yes. It was different coming on set; such a long life has been lived in the last seven years. It's like cycling—something you never forget."
This ruling marks a turning point for Rhea Chakraborty as she attempts to rebuild her career and personal life after the prolonged legal ordeal.
