The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals by the Maharashtra Government, CBI, and Bureau of Immigration challenging the Bombay High Court's order to quash Look Out Circulars against actress Rhea Chakraborty and others in connection with the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan cautioned the petitioners that the plea was frivolous and motivated by the high-profile nature of one of the accused. The high court had previously suspended the LOCs against Chakraborty and her family, allowing them to travel abroad for specific reasons.
Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case: Supreme Court Dismisses Challenges to LOC Quashing
The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals filed by the Maharashtra Government, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Bureau of Immigration against the Bombay High Court's order quashing Look Out Circulars (LOCs) issued against actress Rhea Chakraborty and others in connection with the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Background
In June 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput, a rising star in the Bollywood film industry, was found dead in his apartment in Mumbai. His death sparked widespread speculation and controversy, with suspicions of foul play quickly emerging.
The Maharashtra Police initially investigated the case but later handed it over to the CBI, which took over the investigation in August 2020. The CBI subsequently filed a chargesheet, accusing Rhea Chakraborty and others of abetment of Rajput's suicide.
In October 2020, the Bombay High Court quashed the LOCs against Chakraborty and her family, citing lack of evidence to support the allegations against them. The Maharashtra Government, CBI, and Bureau of Immigration then appealed to the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court's Decision
On February 16, 2023, a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan dismissed the appeals. The court observed that the petitioners' pleas were frivolous and motivated by the high-profile nature of one of the accused.
The court further noted that the high court had already considered the evidence on record and found it insufficient to justify the issuance of LOCs. The Supreme Court emphasized the need to strike a balance between the right to travel and the interests of justice.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is a Look Out Circular (LOC)?
A LOC is an order issued by law enforcement authorities to prevent individuals from leaving the country. It is typically issued when there is a reasonable suspicion that the individual is involved in a crime or may abscond from justice.
2. Why were LOCs issued against Rhea Chakraborty and others?
The LOCs were issued against Rhea Chakraborty and her family based on allegations that they were involved in abetment of Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide.
3. Why did the Bombay High Court quash the LOCs?
The Bombay High Court quashed the LOCs due to lack of evidence to support the allegations against the accused. The court found that the accusations against Chakraborty and her family were based on speculation and conjecture.
4. What does the Supreme Court's decision mean?
The Supreme Court's decision means that Rhea Chakraborty and her family are no longer subject to travel restrictions. They are free to travel abroad for specific reasons, as previously allowed by the Bombay High Court.
5. What is the current status of the case?
The CBI's investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput's death is ongoing. The agency has filed a chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and others, but the trial is yet to commence.
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In a major relief for actor Rhea Chakraborty and her family, the Supreme Court has dismissed a "frivolous" petition filed by the CBI, State of Maharashtra, and Bureau of Immigration seeking to reinstate the lookout circular (LOC) against them in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case. The court warned the agencies that such petitions would be dismissed with exemplary costs, citing the right to travel as a fundamental right that cannot be curtailed without due procedure. The Bombay High Court had earlier quashed the LOCs against the Chakraborty family in February this year, raising questions about the delay in the investigation and the rationale behind issuing the LOCs.
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