Sushant Singh Rajput 5th Death Anniversary: What Really Happened To Late Actor's Case?

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The CBI concluded that Sushant Singh Rajput's death was a "simple case of suicide" and that there was no evidence of foul play or criminal conspiracy.
Nearly five years after the untimely death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officially concluded earlier this year that there was no foul play involved. His death on June 14, 2020, sent shockwaves across the nation and triggered widespread public outrage, multiple investigations and intense speculation. Here's a detailed look at the developments that followed and where the case stands today.
How Did Sushant Singh Rajput Die?
Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence in Mumbai on June 14, 2020. He was 34. According to his post-mortem report, conducted at Mumbai's Cooper Hospital, the cause of death was 'asphyxia due to hanging." The report also mentioned there were no signs of struggle or external injuries.
Allegations and Initial Investigation
The initial investigation was carried out by the Mumbai Police. However, things escalated when Rajput's father, K K Singh, filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the Bihar Police accusing the late actor's then-girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, and her family of abetment to suicide and financial fraud amounting to Rs 15 crore.
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Amid growing public pressure and jurisdictional conflict between the Bihar and Mumbai Police, the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation in August 2020.
CBI's Probe and Key Findings
After taking over the case, the CBI formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into all aspects of Rajput's death. The agency examined multiple angles, including possible professional rivalry, financial transactions and abetment to suicide.
'After an extensive investigation that involved gathering forensic evidence, technical data from the US, medical opinions and questioning of all persons connected, we haven't found any foul play in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput," a senior CBI officer was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times in March 2025.
Medical Analysis and Expert Reports
The CBI had consulted top doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, who reviewed Rajput's post-mortem and viscera reports. In September 2020, the AIIMS panel confirmed the death as a suicide and ruled out any foul play. Their report stated there were no struggle marks on the body and that the death was caused by hanging.
The central agency had also employed advanced digital forensic tools and reached out to tech giants Google and Facebook in 2021 to obtain the late actor's deleted chats, emails and social media activity. These were analysed to understand Rajput's mental state and the events leading up to his death. No suspicious findings emerged from this data.
Rhea Chakraborty and Counter Allegations
Apart from the FIR filed by Rajput's family, Rhea Chakraborty filed a counter case in September 2020 against Rajput's sister Priyanka Singh and a Delhi-based doctor. She alleged that a forged medical prescription for psychiatric drugs was obtained for Rajput without consultation.
CBI, after investigating both cases, ruled out any criminal conspiracy or forged documentation.
Closure Report
In March 2025, the CBI officially filed a closure report, citing it as a 'simple case of suicide." The report gives a clean chit to Rhea Chakraborty and her family, bringing legal closure to the extensive investigation that spanned five years and multiple cities, including Mumbai, Patna, Hyderabad, Faridabad and Delhi.
What Is Rhea Chakraborty Doing Now?
In 2020, Rhea Chakraborty spent approximately one month in jail. She was arrested in September of that year by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with a drug-related case linked to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. She was granted bail by the Bombay High Court in early October 2020. She spent 28 days in Byculla jail.
Since the investigation's conclusion, Rhea has gradually returned to public life. She recently launched her streetwear brand, Chapter 2 Drip, with investment from industry veterans Kishore and Ashni Biyani. She also hosts a podcast titled Chapter 2, where she speaks about life after loss, resilience and moving forward.
What Is Happening Now?
Despite the CBI's findings, interest in Rajput's case remains high. His passing had sparked a national debate on mental health, nepotism and the pressure of fame. While the official verdict closes the legal chapter, public discourse around his life and death continues to shape narratives in Bollywood and beyond.
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