On Wednesday (21st February) the Bombay High Court has revoked Look-Out Circulars (LOCs) issued against Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik in relation to the Sushant Singh Rajput case. These LOCs, which restricted their travel, were nullified by the court, marking a legal victory for the Chakraborty siblings. The decision underscores ongoing legal complexities surrounding the investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise.
Mumbai: On Wednesday ( 21st February), the Bombay High Court invalidated the look-out circulars (LOCs) directed against actor Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik, and their father, an army veteran, in connection with the Sushant Singh Rajput case. These circulars, issued by the CBI, restricted their foreign travel without court approval.
Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Manjusha Deshpande delivered the judgement, raising doubts over the necessity of LOCs solely based on the FIR registration, especially since the original filing originated in Patna before the CBI assumed control in Delhi.
Legal representatives Abhinav Chandrachud and Prasanna Bhangale argued on behalf of Chakraborty, emphasizing Mumbai’s jurisdiction due to residency and the investigative history of the case.
Advocate Ayaz Khan, speaking on behalf of Showik and their father, echoed the argument, contending that the issuance of an LOC required evidence of active evasion of arrest or court proceedings, which was absent in this instance.
CBI’s advocate, Shreeram Shirsat, countered these allegations, referring to past rulings rejecting Rhea’s plea for case transfer to Mumbai. However, the court’s prior observations emphasized the need for case resolutions and cautioned against prolonged travel bans, highlighting potential adverse effects on witnesses’ willingness to cooperate. The court called for discretion in such matters, questioning the necessity of the travel ban’s continuation in this specific case.
Background
The Bombay High Court has completed its hearings and the plea filed by Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty, along with her brother Showik and their father, seeking the cancellation of Look-Out Circulars (LOCs) issued against them by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). These LOCs were implemented during the investigation into the tragic death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, effectively restraining their ability to travel internationally without court authorization. Rhea Chakraborty’s professional engagements abroad have been affected by the LOC, drawing attention to the matter.
The jurisdiction of the FIR, which was initially lodged in Patna by Rajput’s family and later transferred to the CBI in Delhi, emerged as a significant point of contention. Advocates Abhinav Chandrachud and Prasanna Bhangale, representing Chakraborty, advocated for Mumbai’s jurisdiction, citing that both Rajput and Chakraborty were residents of Mumbai, and the CBI’s investigative efforts were centered there. Similarly, Advocate Ayaz Khan, representing Showik and their father, stressed Mumbai’s jurisdiction for the trial, highlighting that LOCs should only be issued in cases where the accused are actively evading arrest or court appearances, which was not applicable in this scenario.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
