Nearly four years after the tragic and untimely death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the legal and emotional storm surrounding the case still continues. In a fresh development, a special court in Mumbai has now directed actress Rhea Chakraborty to file her response to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) closure report in the matter. The deadline? August 12, 2025.
This move has once again brought the high-profile case into the public spotlight, raising questions about whether the closure report truly brings justice and closure or if unanswered queries still remain.
Background: The Death That Shook India
On June 14, 2020, the entire country was shocked to hear about the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, a promising actor found dead in his Mumbai flat. What was initially ruled as a suicide soon transformed into a whirlwind of media trials, public outrage, and political involvement.
Within days, the Mumbai Police began their investigation. But with rising public pressure and suspicions of foul play, the case was handed over to the CBI in August 2020. Along with the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) also launched parallel investigations.
Rhea Chakraborty’s Role in the Case
Rhea Chakraborty, Sushant’s girlfriend at the time of his death, found herself in the eye of the storm. She was accused by Sushant’s family of abetment to suicide, financial misappropriation, and mental harassment. Rhea strongly denied all allegations and maintained that she had done nothing wrong.
Her arrest by the NCB in a drug-related case linked to the Sushant case only intensified media attention and polarized public opinion. After spending a month in Byculla Jail, she was granted bail.
CBI Closure Report: What Does It Say?
In early 2024, after nearly four years of investigation, the CBI submitted its closure report to the court. As per sources, the report concluded there was no evidence of murder and ruled out any foul play. It reportedly suggested that there was no criminality in the unfortunate incident, thereby refuting claims of conspiracy or abetment.
However, the report has not yet been made public, and its exact findings are confidential. It is only after the court reviews all responses, including Rhea’s, that a decision will be made on whether to accept the report or call for further probe.
Court’s Recent Order: Rhea Must Respond by August 12
On July 29, 2025, the special CBI court formally directed Rhea Chakraborty to submit her response to the closure report. The court emphasized that since she was a key party in the case and the one originally accused, her views on the closure report must be considered before final orders are passed.
If she agrees with the findings, the court may move toward accepting the report. However, if she raises objections or brings fresh evidence or allegations, the case may take another legal turn.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal experts believe this step is essential for due process. Advocate Rajesh Ingle, a senior criminal lawyer, commented:
“The court is following standard procedure. Anyone named in the FIR or considered a directly affected party has a right to respond before a closure report is accepted. Rhea’s reply could either close this chapter or open up new aspects.”
Another lawyer noted that such cases are emotionally charged and require extreme caution in drawing final conclusions.
Public Reactions: Divided Yet Again
Social media has once again erupted with mixed reactions. While some netizens are calling for the reopening of the investigation, claiming that justice has not been served, others feel that dragging the matter further is unfair to everyone involved, especially when no evidence of wrongdoing has been proven so far.
The hashtags #JusticeForSSR and #CBIReport have started trending once more, showing that public interest in the case remains as high as ever.
What Happens Next?
All eyes are now on August 12, 2025 — the deadline given to Rhea Chakraborty. After receiving her response, the court will:
- Review the contents of the CBI closure report.
- Examine any objections or concerns raised by Rhea.
- Possibly call for additional clarifications from the CBI.
- Decide whether to accept the report or order further investigation.
If the report is accepted, the legal case — at least from the CBI’s end — will be considered closed. However, if Rhea challenges the findings or demands further scrutiny, the investigation may see a fresh phase.
Conclusion
The death of Sushant Singh Rajput has remained one of Bollywood’s most debated and painful sagas. The fact that even after four years, the case has not fully reached legal closure speaks volumes about its complexity and public sensitivity.
With Rhea Chakraborty now asked to present her side regarding the CBI’s final word, this case takes yet another crucial turn. Whether it ends in closure or reinvestigation depends on what unfolds over the coming weeks.