Today, the Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Hrishikesh Roy heard the second hearing of Rhea Chakraborty’s plea for transfer of the case from Patna to Mumbai.
After hearing all sides of the argument, the Supreme Court has reserved its judgement on Rhea’s plea and asked all parties to file to submit written notes/replies in the case by Thursday, 13th August.
As per India.com, Rhea Chakraborty’s side, represented by Advocate Shyam Divan put forth the argument that the “Patna FIR was without jurisdiction, and not connected with the incident. Bihar cops should’ve transferred the case.”
He also said that the Patna FIR is the result of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar‘s interest in the case. “Everything is done for political mileage”, he said.
The actress Rhea also told SC through her lawyer, “I was in love with Sushant. I was traumatised after his death. But I am being victimised now”.
However, Rhea was questioned on her stance on CBI probe, as Justice Roy asked that she herself had previously asked for CBI investigation – “You yourself have asked for the CBI to come in; how they come and what happens with it comes later. So your stand becomes that CBI should come in.”
Meanwhile, as reported by Times Now, arguments put forth by Sushant’s family via lawyer Vikas Singh were – ‘Who is murdering CrPC?’, ‘Delay is equal to evidence is being destroyed’, ‘Why was Sushant’s body seen on bed, not hanging?’, ‘What is Mumbai Police afraid of?’ and that the ‘Cops don’t want to apprehend Rhea’.
As per India.com – Senior Adv Vikas Singh said – “Father and sister of Sushant Singh Rajput were alienated. Father repeatedly wanted to talk to Sushant but Rhea did not reply. She had already distanced the sister. Look at the mark on his neck, it’s a belt mark not a rope! If he was murdered it needs to be investigated!”
On behalf of Sushant’s father, Vikas Singh further said – “I am from Patna and without my son I have no one to light my funeral pyre. This itself shows that Patna has jurisdiction… No one has seen my son hanging. When my daughter reached, Sushant was lying on the bed. This needs investigation.”
Representing Maharashtra Govt, Senior Advocate AM Singhvi alleged that because of impending elections in Bihar, the state government has got involved to politically exploit the case of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
Bihar Govt Counsel countered Mumbai Police in the hearing and stated that ‘senior political clout prevented Mumbai Police from registering FIR’.
“Bihar Government’s action is bonafide and legal. 56 witnesses examined by Mumbai police. I am told that the interim report of post mortem came on June 17 and final report on June 25. Maharashtra has not registered an FIR,” said Maninder Singh, counsel for Bihar Govt.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta alleged – “Maharashtra Government affidavit is misleading.”
SG Mehta concluded by stating – “Whatever has been done by the Mumbai Police in terms of the so-called ‘investigation’ does not stand the test of law. CBI probe is essential in this case in the interest of justice.”
After hearing arguments by Rhea’s lawyer, Sushant’s family lawyer, the Maharashtra Govt counsel, Bihar Govt counsel and the Solicitor General of India, the Supreme Court asked for brief written notes from all parties by Thursday. The judgement has been reserved and the next hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, August 13.
