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.
Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case: Supreme Court Dismisses CBI Plea to Reinstate Lookout Circular
Background:
Sushant Singh Rajput, a popular Bollywood actor, died by suicide in his Mumbai apartment on June 14, 2020. His death sent shockwaves through the film industry and sparked widespread speculation and controversy. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation of the case in August 2020.
Supreme Court Ruling:
In a significant development, the Supreme Court on February 16, 2023, dismissed a petition filed by the CBI and the State of Maharashtra to reinstate the lookout circular (LOC) issued against Rhea Chakraborty and her family in connection with Rajput's death. The court held that the petition was "frivolous" and that the right to travel was a fundamental right.
The court also warned the agencies that such petitions would be dismissed with exemplary costs, emphasizing the importance of following due process and respecting individual freedoms. The Bombay High Court had previously quashed the LOCs against the Chakraborty family in February 2022, raising questions about the delay in the investigation and the lack of evidence to justify the LOCs.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1: What is a lookout circular (LOC)? A: An LOC is a notice issued by the Bureau of Immigration to prevent individuals from leaving the country.
Q2: Why was an LOC issued against Rhea Chakraborty? A: The CBI had issued an LOC against Rhea Chakraborty and her family in connection with the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, suspecting their involvement in his death.
Q3: What did the Supreme Court say about the LOCs? A: The Supreme Court dismissed the petition seeking to reinstate the LOCs, holding that it was frivolous and that the right to travel was a fundamental right.
Q4: Has there been any progress in the Sushant Singh Rajput death investigation? A: The CBI investigation into Rajput's death is ongoing. No arrests have been made to date, and the cause of his death remains under investigation.
Q5: What is the current status of Rhea Chakraborty? A: Rhea Chakraborty is out on bail and is not under any travel restrictions. She continues to maintain her innocence in connection with Rajput's death.
The murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh has led to the arrest of three suspects, including key accused Ritesh Chandrakar, who is a relative of Congress leader Suresh Chandrakar. Investigations have also revealed that the victim and the accused were cousins. Chandrakar's murder has drawn attention to an alleged corruption expose, which allegedly led to his death. In light of these developments, the state has launched an inquiry and seized illegally possessed land from the Congress leader's family.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, including big names such as former MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and MLA Kailash Gahlot. The list also features candidates from different backgrounds, such as former Congress MLA Rajkumar Chauhan and former Delhi University Students Union president Rekha Gupta. With this bold move, the BJP aims to secure a strong position in the upcoming elections.
Amidst the highly anticipated Delhi assembly elections, all eyes are on the Kalkaji constituency as Chief Minister Atishi of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, former MP Ramesh Bidhuri of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and senior leader Alka Lamba of the Congress all vie for the seat. With a history of multiple party wins and changing loyalties, the race for Kalkaji is bound to be an intense one. As Atishi, Bidhuri, and Lamba all bring their unique strengths and experiences to the table, the outcome of this election will be crucial for all three parties involved.
The BJP has announced its candidate list for the upcoming Delhi elections, with Parvesh Verma set to contest against incumbent CM Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat. In response, Verma has openly challenged Kejriwal and called for accountability for his actions as CM. The BJP has also fielded other notable candidates, including Ramesh Bidhuri in Kalkaji, leading to speculation about the party's confidence in their own candidates.
Parvesh Verma, the BJP candidate for the New Delhi assembly seat, expressed his gratitude to the party leadership for giving him the opportunity. He confidently asserted that the BJP will form the next government in Delhi and promised to address issues such as tax mismanagement and unemployment. Verma also taunted his opponent, incumbent CM Arvind Kejriwal, and challenged him to not run away from the New Delhi seat. Meanwhile, Kejriwal responded to PM Modi's criticisms by highlighting AAP's achievements in education, healthcare, and housing and attacking the BJP's slow progress in these areas.
The BJP has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, with 29 names announced. Former MP Parvesh Verma will be contesting against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat, while Chief Minister Atishi's opponent will be former MP Ramesh Bidhuri in Kalkaji. Other key candidates include national office-bearers Dushyant Kumar Gautam and Ashish Sood. This announcement comes as the latest development in the highly anticipated elections, with more updates to come.
The third Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Parishad, attended by over 875 temple representatives, passed resolutions including conducting ‘Collective Aarti’ weekly and urging the government to free all temples in Maharashtra from state control. The event was held in Shirdi and was attended by key leaders and advocates of temple preservation. Key demands such as fast-tracking court cases regarding Kashi and Mathura and declaring temple premises as ‘alcohol and meat-free zones’ were also made. The National Organiser of the Mandir Mahasangh, Mr. Sunil Ghanwat, has urged the government to take prompt action on these resolutions.
On the 194th birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, Nagar Kurnool MLA Dr. Rajesh Reddy emphasized the importance of following her ideals during an event organized by the District Education Department. He lauded the state government's declaration of January 3rd as Women's Teachers' Day and its commitment to realizing Savitribai's vision for social equality. In the presence of District Collector and Education Officer, several women teachers were honored and a student dressed as Savitribai Phule received special recognition.
Tensions have been high in Manipur's Kangpokpi district for the past week, leading to a violent attack on the office of the Superintendent of Police on Friday. Videos and images emerging from the town show armed individuals dressed in camouflage and damaged vehicles on the premises. The violence follows a confrontation between security forces and Kuki-Zo women in the district earlier in the week, which has sparked protests and demands for the removal of joint security forces stationed in the area. While the situation has been brought under control, locals estimate that 15 people from the mob were injured.
Mukesh Chandrakar, a 28-year-old independent journalist, was found dead in a septic tank on a contractor's premises in Bijapur after receiving a call from the contractor's cousin to meet them. Mukesh's body was discovered after his brother filed a police complaint when he did not return from the meeting. Authorities are investigating if his death is connected to any of his recent journalistic work in the Bastar region.