The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a closure report in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, bringing an end to years of speculation. Rhea Chakraborty’s lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, welcomed the decision, stating that he fought for Rhea and her family pro bono despite facing threats.
Lawyer’s Statement on the Case
In his statement, Maneshinde expressed gratitude to the CBI for conducting a thorough investigation. “The CBI has filed a closure report in connection with the death of Sushant Singh Rajput after almost 4.5 years. We are grateful that every aspect was examined before closing the case. The false narratives spread on social and electronic media were completely unnecessary,” he said.
He also criticized the media frenzy surrounding the case, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. “With nothing else happening in the country, everyone was glued to their screens. Innocent people were hounded and publicly scrutinized. I hope such media trials do not happen again,” he added.
Defending a ‘Fauji Family’ Pro Bono
Maneshinde further revealed that he took on Rhea’s case free of charge. “Rhea was forced to endure immense suffering. She was jailed for 27 days for no fault of hers before being granted bail. I salute her and her family for staying silent despite the inhuman treatment they faced,” he said.
He explained that Rhea’s family approached him through a mutual friend in the defense forces. “Both Rhea’s family and my team faced threats to our lives, but we remained undeterred in fulfilling our legal duties. I am proud to have defended a ‘Fauji Family’ pro bono, and I hope this puts an end to the speculation about my legal fees,” he asserted.
Maneshinde also thanked sections of the media that supported him and Rhea’s fight for justice. “This country remains safe, and every citizen seeking justice can still rely on our vibrant judiciary,” he concluded.
Case Background
Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020. His father later filed a complaint against Rhea Chakraborty, accusing her of abetment to suicide. Rhea and her brother, Showik Chakraborty, were arrested in a drug-related case connected to Sushant’s death. The case was subsequently transferred to the CBI, which has now closed the investigation.