Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case: Aditya Thackeray Files Intervention Application In PIL Seeking His Custodial Interrogation by CBI

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Synopsis

The application underscores that the petitioner has a history of misusing the judicial system, as numerous contempt actions were initiated against him by both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court

Aditya Thackeray, a Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction, has filed an intervention application before the Bombay High Court in the Public Interest Litigation filed against him seeking Thackeray's custodial interrogation in relation to the deaths of the late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput and her manager, Disha Salian.

The Public Interest Litigation, initiated by Rashid Khan Pathan, President of the Supreme Court and High Court Association, has sought directions to be issued by the high court to the Central Bureau of Investigation for Aditya Thackeray's custodial interrogation regarding the deaths of Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Salian.

In his intervention application filed through Advocate Rahul Arote, Aditya Thackeray has contended that the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is filed with malicious intent, as it relies on allegations made by BJP's Narayan Rane and the media trial conducted by Arnab Goswami on Republic TV.

The intervention application further asserts that the PIL has been filed before the upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha Elections, seemingly with the purpose of once again conducting a media trial.

“..the present Petition just before the ensuing Iolisabha and Vidhansabha Elections, probably with a view to once again give rise to media trials carried out by some news Anchors having personal vendetta against the Intervener and his family members as well as to enable the aforesaid Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party to once again resort to make false, frivolous and baseless allegations against the Petitioner and his famrly members with mala fide intention to cause prejudice in the minds of the general public and score political mileage against political rival,” the application states.

The application also highlights that the death of the late actor and his manager underwent investigations by the Maharashtra Police, Bihar Police, as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It points out that the Supreme Court had already taken cognizance and directed the CBI to conduct an investigation. Therefore, the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the high court is not maintainable.

Additionally, the application underscores that the petitioner has a history of misusing the judicial system, as numerous contempt actions were initiated against him by both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court.

Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead on June 14, 2020, at his residence in Bandra. Initially, the investigation was carried out by the Mumbai Police, which filed a report indicating accidental death.

However, Rajput's father lodged an FIR in Bihar, alleging that Rajput's girlfriend and her family abetted his suicide.

Subsequently, the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Supreme Court, which is currently investigating the matter.

The Enforcement Directorate is also conducting an investigation into Rhea and her family over allegations of money laundering.

Furthermore, the Narcotics Control Bureau is probing claims that Rhea was involved in drug consumption and may have provided drugs to Rajput.

Disha Salian was found dead on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential flat in Malad. The Mumbai Police had registered an Accidental Death Report in her case.

Case title: Aditya Uddhav Thackeray vs SC HC Litigant Association