So finally, she was neither a witch, nor someone who practised black magic. The CBI closure report on the investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput has cleared the name of his then partner, Rhea Chakraborty – nearly five years after the actor was found lifeless in his apartment on June 14, 2020. The closure of the investigation has vindicated Rhea’s stand that she was in no way responsible for his death, but it can’t give back to her what these five years of a sensational media trial, name-calling, ostracisation and lost work opportunities have taken away. Will the public ever know the extent of damage done to her mental well-being over these years?
When Sushant was found dead in his Mumbai apartment, the initial investigation seemed to point to suicide, with no signs of foul play. However, as the case garnered media attention, various conspiracy theories began to take root, many of which unfairly targeted Rhea. The media's thirst for sensationalism, compounded by the public’s fascination with every twist in the case, led to a dangerous escalation of baseless accusations. Allegations of abetment to suicide, financial misconduct, and even links to drugs were levied against Rhea, painting her as the villain in a story that was far more complex than the headlines suggested.
Despite the absence of evidence supporting these allegations, Rhea was arrested in September 2020 by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in connection with a drug-related investigation. She was in jail for 27 days before being granted bail, a period during which every aspect of her life – her career, her relationships, and her character – was dissected in the most public and degrading manner. It was as though her very identity became a spectacle for the public to gawk at, all in the name of "justice" and "truth."
Rhea's lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, has been vocal about the "untold miseries" she endured due to the media’s relentless pursuit of a narrative that portrayed her as guilty before any legal proceedings had even taken place. The closure report filed by the CBI confirms what many had known all along – Rhea had no involvement in Sushant’s tragic death. The findings also unequivocally stated that the cause of death was suicide, with no foul play or conspiracy involved.
After the closure of the case, veteran actress Soni Razdan referred to the media treatment of Rhea as a "modern-day witch hunt" in an open letter. Razdan, along with other Bollywood celebrities like Dia Mirza, has been vocal in expressing their anger and frustration at the way Rhea was treated. Razdan's call for accountability resonates deeply – who will be held accountable for the immense distress Rhea faced, for the damage done to her reputation, and for the injustice of putting her through a media trial before a real one could even begin?
Rhea’s experience exemplifies the toxic nature of modern-day media trials, where the presumption of guilt replaces the presumption of innocence, and the courtroom becomes a mere formality for a judgment already passed in the public eye. Moreover, while Rhea’s name was dragged through the mud, few questioned the systemic issues that contributed to the tragedy in the first place. Sushant’s mental health struggles, his professional isolation, and the pressures of the entertainment industry were all minimised in favour of scapegoating individuals like Rhea. The media’s focus on sensationalism rather than serious, fact-based reporting only served to complicate the investigation, diverting attention away from the real causes behind his death.
Now that the CBI has filed its closure report, one can only hope that this marks the beginning of some semblance of justice for Rhea Chakraborty. It is imperative that the media takes responsibility for its role in perpetuating a narrative that was both damaging and unfounded. However, the question remains: will the same media outlets that once demonized Rhea now offer an apology, as called for by figures like Dia Mirza and Soni Razdan? The case is a stark reminder of how, in the age of instant news and social media, the line between fact and fiction can easily be blurred, and the damage done can last far longer than any investigation or trial. It is time for the media to acknowledge the harm caused and to reflect on the consequences of its actions. This is not just about Rhea's story; it is a lesson in accountability, responsibility, and the need for a more ethical approach to journalism.