Nidae KashmirMumbai:
Actor Deepika Padukone’s questioning in a widening drug probe linked to the Sushant Singh Rajput death investigation continues five hours since she arrived at the Evelyn Guest House in Mumbai’s Colaba, where the Narcotics Control Bureau’s Special Investigation Team has set up a base.
Deepika Padukone was summoned for questioning by the anti-drugs agency along with actors Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan.
The actor’s manager Karishma Prakash is also being questioned for the second consecutive day. She had reached the NCB office earlier this morning.
On Friday, the NCB questioned Karishma Prakash and actor Rakul Preet Singh about the contents of WhatsApp chat which allegedly indicated marijuana was bought for consumption. Ms. Prakash’s questioning went on for much longer than Rakul Preet Singh’s, which lasted four hours, sources said.
The escalating probe into Bollywood’s drugs links started with actor Rhea Chakraborty’s questioning, three months after Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai home on June 14. The investigation, involving multiple agencies, has captivated the nation, throwing up almost daily twists and wild speculation and campaigns on social media.
Sources in the Narcotics Control Bureau, whose mandate is to go after larger drug cartels and not individual consumers, have said the agency was summoning Bollywood A-listers to understand the network of supply through alleged consumers.
It must be noted that the actors have not been named as accused in any drugs probe case, and are only being questioned.
During her questioning before arrest on September 9, Rhea Chakraborty reportedly named stars, including Sara Ali Khan and Rakul Preet Singh, in connection with drug use. Her lawyer has denied this claim.
Sara Ali Khan was also Sushant Singh Rajput’s co-star in the film “Kedarnath”; Sushant Rajput developed the drugs habit while shooting the film, according to Rhea Chakraborty’s bail petition before the Bombay High Court.
The names of Deepika Padukone and Shraddha Kapoor were found in WhatsApp chats on the phone of Jaya Saha, Sushant Singh Rajput’s talent manager, and a top executive of talent firm Kwan.
aya Saha has also been questioned by the drug probe agency.
Sushant Singh’s family through their Advocate Vikas Singh had aired their displeasure over the direction of the probe calling “the NCB probe too going in the same direction as Mumbai Police probe… calling big names for questioning just to get attention”.
