Sushant Singh Rajput’s family lawyer, Vikas Singh, on Friday said that the late actor’s family feels that the Bollywood drug probe is only diverting attention from the investigation. He also claimed that a doctor from the AIIMS team which conducted forensic tests in the case had told him that Sushant was strangled and did not commit suicide, as Mumbai Police had reported.
At a press conference, the lawyer commented that if the investigation is not brought back on track, the case will head in a direction which “won’t throw light on everything”. Speaking about the NCB probe, Singh said, “What is the point of calling these celebrities in a narcotics case? There is no one involved in a drug trade.” If drugs are not seized, then a narcotics case is not possible, he said further. He also expressed his disappointment with the pace of the probe, saying, “The NCB is conducting a parade like the Mumbai Police.”
The lawyer also put across his frustration with the CBI. “Today, we are helpless as we do not know the direction this case is going in. Normally, a press briefing is held by the CBI, but in this case, till today, CBI has not done a press briefing on what they have found out. This is a very serious issue,” he said. Singh also took to Twitter on Friday, where he wrote: “Getting frustrated by the delay in CBI taking a decision to convert abetment to suicide to murder of SSR.”
Singh’s tweet also stated: “The doctor who is part of AIIMS team had told me long back that the photos sent by me indicated 200% that it’s death by strangulation a n d n o t suicide.” On that matter, Vikas Singh asked why the CBI was not meeting the AIIMS doctors. “If that meeting (between the CBI and AIIMS) happens, a call will be taken. I am sure that the pace and tenor of the investigation will be different then,” he said. “Truth cannot be revealed until there is custodial interrogation,” said the lawyer.
Sushant Singh Rajput had been found dead in his Bandra residence on 14 June. The case is being probed by the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and the Narcotics Control Bureau. While no arrests have been made so far by the CBI and ED, the NCB had arrested Rhea Chakraborty on 8 September for allegedly procuring drugs. She has also been accused of arranging drugs for the late actor. “If Rhea was involved in a syndicate, then a serious case on her is possible,” said Vikas Singh, adding, “(Rhea) can say anything (about procuring drugs for Sushant), he isn’t here to respond.