ED confirms withdrawal of Rs. 15 crore from Sushant's account
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has confirmed that around Rs. 15 crore were withdrawn from one of the bank accounts of late Sushant Singh Rajput. However, the agency has not found any significant direct transfers to the accounts of accused Rhea Chakraborty, Sushant's alleged girlfriend. Notably, ED is probing a money laundering case against Rhea, her family members, and others. Here are more details.
Rs. 2.78 crore paid towards taxes
The identities of those who received the tranches amounting to Rs. 15 crore are currently being ascertained. It was also found out during the probe that Rs. 2.78 crore were used towards payment of taxes such as the GST. "So far, no money was sent to Rhea from the account from which Rs. 15 crore was withdrawn (sic)," a source told Mumbai Mirror.
ED probing if someone else performed the transactions
"We are looking into who was using the debit cards and the net banking facility to ascertain if someone else who had access to the PINs or the passwords could have performed those transactions," ED sources told the publication.
Sushant's family alleged suspicious transfers, ED filed case
To recall, on July 25, Sushant's father, KK Singh had filed a police complaint in Patna against Rhea, accusing her of fraud and abetment to Sushant's suicide. In the FIR, it was also alleged that Rs. 15 crore were suspiciously transferred from his accounts. Based on that allegation, the ED, which probes financial crimes, filed a money laundering case in the matter.
On Thursday, ED questioned celebrity manager Jayanti Saha
As part of its investigation, the ED has questioned Rhea, her brother Showik, and father Indrajit Chakraborty. Sushant's former business manager Shruti Modi and friend Siddharth Pithani were also questioned. On Thursday, the agency interrogated Jayanti Saha, a celebrity manager, who had handled Sushant's account in the past. It will now record statements of Sushant's cook, bodyguard and domestic help.
Meanwhile, CBI is investigating Sushant's death
Meanwhile, the case filed in Patna was last week transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), after the central government accepted the request from Bihar government. Subsequently, the agency filed an FIR against Rhea and others. Its officials have thus far recorded statements of Sushant's father and sisters as part of the investigation.
SC will soon decide who will probe the case
However, Rhea has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking to transfer the case against her from Patna to Mumbai. The top court heard the case on Tuesday. On Thursday, a written submission was filed by all parties in the apex court. While Sushant's family and Bihar government have requested for a CBI probe, Rhea and the Maharashtra government have opined otherwise.
Bihar v/s Maharashtra in Supreme Court
The Bihar government told the top court that Maharashtra Police did not register an FIR and also refrained from cooperating with Bihar Police. On the other hand, the Maharashtra government told SC that the registration of FIR in Patna was "politically motivated."
Sushant was found dead at Mumbai home on June 14
Sushant was found dead at his apartment in Mumbai on June 14. Citing initial evidence, the police had termed it a case of suicide. The actor had been suffering from clinical depression for the past few months, medical reports have suggested. Having started out as a television actor, Sushant starred in movies such as PK, M.S. Dhoni, Kedarnath, Sonchiriya, and Dil Bechara, among others.
If you are feeling suicidal, please seek help
In case you need help or know someone who does, you can reach out to AASRA for suicide prevention counseling. Their number is 022 2754 6669 (24 hours). You can also contact the Hyderabad-based Roshni NGO at +914066202000 or COOJ at +918322252525. Sneha India Foundation, which works 24X7, can be contacted at +914424640050. Vandrevala Foundation has trained counselors, and their number is 18602662345.
