Table Of Contents

Sushant Singh Rajput

Sushant Singh Rajput, a prominent Indian actor known for films like M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story and Chhichhore, was found dead in his Mumbai apartment on June 14, 2020, at the age of 34.

His death sparked widespread public outcry, media frenzy, and conspiracy theories, leading to multiple investigations by local police, federal agencies, and forensic experts.

Initial reports classified it as a suicide, but allegations of foul play, abetment, financial misconduct, and a drug nexus prompted deeper probes.

As of October 31, 2025, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially closed the case, ruling it a suicide with no evidence of external involvement.

However, Rajput’s family continues to challenge the findings, citing perceived gaps in the investigation.

This report compiles key details from official sources, timelines, findings, controversies, and recent developments.

Circumstances Surrounding The Death

Rajput was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan in his bedroom in a rented apartment in Bandra, Mumbai.

The door was locked from the inside, and his flatmates, after failing to get a response, called a locksmith to open it.

They alerted his sister and the police.

No suicide note was found at the scene.

Time of Death: Estimated between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. IST on June 14, 2020, based on the postmortem examination conducted later that evening.
Personal Background: Rajput had been exhibiting symptoms of clinical depression for months. He was under treatment, consulting psychiatrists and a psychotherapist, and was prescribed antidepressants. Medical papers and pills were recovered from his residence. In the week leading up to his death, he searched online for topics like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, painless death methods, and his own name, as well as Disha Salian (a celebrity manager who died five days earlier, though no link was established).
Events Leading Up: On the night of June 13, Rajput made unanswered calls to his then-girlfriend, actress Rhea Chakraborty, and friend Mahesh Shetty. He woke early the next morning, had juice and his medication around 9:30 a.m. after speaking to his sister, and then isolated himself. His cook knocked on the door around 11:30 a.m. with no response, leading to the discovery.
Physical Evidence: The postmortem noted asphyxia due to hanging. Rajput reportedly first attempted to use a bathrobe belt (which failed) before using a green kurta. Clothes were strewn on the floor, suggesting he pulled the kurta from a cupboard. Due to his height (5’10”) and the fan’s position, the hanging was in an inclined posture. No signs of struggle, forced entry, or other injuries were reported.

Initial Investigation By Mumbai Police

The Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and treated the case as a suicide from the outset.

They conducted over 56 interviews, including with Rajput’s family, friends, flatmates, and medical professionals.

Key Findings: Confirmed Rajput’s depression and treatment. No evidence of a party at his home on June 13 (debunked via CCTV). No financial misappropriation from his accounts, including no transfers to Chakraborty. Professional rivalry in Bollywood was probed as a potential depression trigger, but nothing conclusive emerged.
Forensic Audit: Appointed Grant Thornton on August 4, 2020, to review finances, finding no irregularities.
Family Concerns: In February 2020, Rajput’s family informally complained to Mumbai Police about his mental state and alleged pressure from Chakraborty, but no formal action was taken at the time.
Criticisms: The police faced accusations of mishandling the crime scene (e.g., contamination) and delaying the probe, fueling public distrust.

Transfer To CBI And Federal Involvement

On July 25, 2020, Rajput’s father, K.K. Singh, filed an FIR in Patna (Bihar) against Chakraborty and six others, alleging abetment to suicide, wrongful confinement, theft, criminal breach of trust, and cheating (involving ₹15 crore).

This led to jurisdictional disputes.

Supreme Court Order: On August 19, 2020, the Supreme Court transferred the case to the CBI, citing the need for an impartial probe. The CBI re-registered the FIR on August 6, 2020.
Enforcement Directorate (ED): Investigated money laundering based on the Patna FIR, finding no major irregularities but uncovering a drug angle, which was handed to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
CBI Probe Details: Recorded statements from over 80 people, including Chakraborty, her family, Rajput’s sisters, flatmates, and doctors. Analyzed digital evidence, bank records, and scene recreations. No evidence of coercion or abetment was found.

Medical And Forensic Reports

Multiple forensic analyses consistently ruled out murder.

Postmortem Reports: Provisional (June 15, 2020) and final (June 25, 2020) from Cooper Hospital confirmed asphyxia due to hanging, classifying it as a “clear case of suicide.” Viscera report (July 27, 2020) excluded poisoning or foul play.
AIIMS Panel: Appointed by CBI in August 2020, led by Dr. Sudhir Gupta. On October 3, 2020, they confirmed suicide, noting no injuries beyond the ligature mark and no signs of struggle or strangulation. The full report was submitted to CBI on October 5, 2020, dismissing poisoning claims.
Other Evidence: No marks of scuffle on the body or clothes. The inclined hanging position explained height-distance discrepancies (fan to body).

Finding	Source	Date	Conclusion
Provisional Postmortem	Cooper Hospital	June 15, 2020	Asphyxia due to hanging; no foul play
Final Postmortem	Cooper Hospital	June 25, 2020	Suicide confirmed
Viscera Report	Forensic Lab	July 27, 2020	No poisoning
AIIMS Forensic Opinion	AIIMS Delhi Panel	October 5, 2020	Suicide; murder ruled out

NCB Drug Probe

The ED’s findings led to an NCB investigation into alleged drug procurement and consumption.

FIR and Arrests: Filed August 26, 2020, against Chakraborty, her brother Showik, and others under the NDPS Act. Showik and Rajput’s house manager were arrested on September 4; Chakraborty on September 9 for procuring cannabis for Rajput. Over 35 people were implicated, with arrests including Rajput’s flatmate Siddharth Pithani (May 2021, bailed July 2022).
Charges: NCB filed a chargesheet against 33 in March 2021 and draft charges against 35 in July 2022, accusing them of aiding Rajput’s drug addiction since 2018.
Bail And Rulings: Bombay High Court granted bail to Chakraborty on October 7, 2020, rejecting NCB’s claims of her financing the habit. The probe continues separately from the death investigation, with no direct link to suicide established.

Controversies And Media Coverage

The case became a media spectacle, amplifying theories of murder, nepotism, and political interference.

Family Allegations: FIR against Chakraborty for mental harassment and financial fraud. Counter-FIR by Chakraborty against Rajput’s sisters for illegal prescriptions (quashed for one sister in 2021; upheld for the other, transferred to CBI).
Nepotism and Bollywood: Accusations that Rajput was sidelined due to industry favoritism led to boycotts (e.g., Sadak 2 trailer became YouTube’s most disliked). A Bihar court case against stars like Salman Khan was dismissed.
Political Angle: Bihar politicians demanded a CBI probe amid elections; Maharashtra opposed initially. Conspiracy theories linked to Disha Salian’s death (ruled accidental).
Media Issues: Over 80,000 fake accounts discredited the Mumbai Police. Channels like Aaj Tak were fined for insensitive reporting. Copycat suicides and defamatory arrests followed.
Judicial Notes: Bombay HC quashed lookout circulars against Chakraborty in February 2024, reiterating suicide. The Supreme Court upheld this in October 2024.

CBI Closure And Recent Developments (2024-2025)

On March 22, 2025, the CBI filed closure reports in two cases: the Patna FIR (abetment) and Chakraborty’s counter-FIR (illegal prescription).

Both cleared all the accused, including Chakraborty and Rajput’s family, concluding no foul play, abetment, or criminal conspiracy.

The reports were submitted to courts in Mumbai and Patna, which will decide on acceptance (next hearing April 8, 2025, for Mumbai; December 2025 for Patna).

Basis For Closure: Expert opinions, crime scene analysis, witness statements, and forensics found no evidence to prosecute. ₹17 lakh in expenses by Chakraborty were deemed consensual in their live-in relationship.
Family’s Response: Rajput’s family, via lawyer Varun Singh, called the report “incomplete and inconclusive,” alleging withheld documents (e.g., full annexures) and planning a protest petition. Sister Shweta Singh Kirti claimed psychics indicated murder by two people. Appeals to President Droupadi Murmu in October 2025 seek intervention, citing constitutional rights violations and SOP lapses (e.g., no custodial interrogations, ignored digital evidence like a pen drive).
Public And Media Reactions: Fans and online campaigns (#JusticeForSSR) persist with murder theories, questioning ligature marks, CCTV, and height discrepancies. Chakraborty’s lawyer hailed the closure as vindication after her ordeal, including a month in jail.
Ongoing Aspects: NCB drug case continues with legal proceedings. No new CBI updates post-closure, but family challenges could reopen scrutiny.

Conclusion

The official investigations, backed by forensic and medical evidence, have consistently concluded that Sushant Singh Rajput’s death was a suicide driven by depression, with no foul play or abetment.

The CBI’s 2025 closure report marks the end of the primary probe, exonerating all accused.

However, the family’s ongoing legal challenge and public skepticism highlight lingering doubts about transparency and thoroughness.

The case underscores issues like mental health stigma, media ethics, and the intersection of politics and celebrity in India.

While the drug probe persists, the death investigation appears resolved unless courts order reopening.