Mumbai: CBI Verifies Rhea Chakraborty’s Ambassadorship Claim Amidst Travel Request

Mumbai, 20th December 2023: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Bombay High Court on Wednesday that it is currently in the process of verifying whether actress Rhea Chakraborty is indeed the brand ambassador of any company, as she claims. The scrutiny is part of the ongoing investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Rhea had filed a petition challenging the lookout circular issued against her by the CBI.

Rhea, former girlfriend of the late Sushant Singh Rajput, had also submitted an application seeking a temporary suspension of the circular, citing professional commitments that require her to travel to Dubai from December 27 to January 2.

In her plea, Rhea asserted that she serves as the brand ambassador for a pet food manufacturing company and must attend an event on behalf of the company. However, CBI counsel Shriram Shirsat informed the division bench of Justices AS Gadkari and SC Chandak that the agency is currently verifying the actress’s association with the company.

According to the information received by the CBI, Rhea is reportedly no longer the brand ambassador for the company, Drools Pet Food Pvt Ltd. Shirsat stated that someone else, actress Kiara Advani, has taken over the role. The CBI has requested additional time to complete the verification process.

Rhea’s lawyer, Abhinav Chandrachud, urged the court to expedite the hearing of the case on Friday (December 22). However, the bench emphasized that it would not rush the matter and expressed willingness to grant the CBI the necessary time for verification. The court suggested that Chakraborty could approach the vacation bench on December 26 if needed.

Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14, 2020. Following initial investigations by the Mumbai Police, the case was later transferred to the CBI. A lookout circular was issued against Rhea and her brother Showik Chakraborty in August 2020. While the High Court temporarily suspended the circular against Showik in September, Rhea and Showik were previously arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in 2020 in connection to a drugs case related to Rajput. Both were later granted bail. The legal proceedings continue as the investigation unfolds.