Today, Bombay High Court will hear the bail pleas of Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik along with Miranda, Sawant and Parihar.
HC had told NCB to file their response to the bail pleas. NCB has submitted an affidavit opposing the bail pleas.
As reported by Indian Express and NDTV and Hindustan Times, in the affidavit submitted by NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede on Monday, it was stated that Rhea-Showik were “active members of drug syndicate connected with high society personalities and drug suppliers”.
It said there was enough evidence to show that Rhea financed trafficking of drugs.
“Electronic evidence such as WhatsApp chats, records were retrieved from mobile, laptop and hard-disk and it indicated payment made for the drugs. Thus, there is ample evidence to show present applicant (Rhea Chakraborty) has not only regularly dealt with but also financed illicit trafficking of drugs.”
NCB said Section 27A of the NDPS Act which deals with punishment for financing drug trafficking and harbouring offenders, was applicable as the applicants had “abetted and financed’ drug transactions.
NCB pointed out that Rhea, being aware of the fact that Sushant Singh Rajput was engaged in consumption, had harboured and concealed him.
“This would tantamount to harbouring. Rhea also allowed her residence for drug storage and consumption by Rajput,” NCB said.
“The present applicant is prominent member of supply chain of drugs and majorly she is handling finance also,” stated the affidavit.
“The present applicant used to manage, finance for drug procurement along with Sushant Singh Rajput,” NCB said while opposing Rhea’s bail plea.
NCB officer also said that Rhea-Showik bought drugs not for their own use but to supply them to Sushant Singh Rajput, which is “a more serious offense” related to the funding of drugs.
The agency also said that Rhea facilitated drug deliveries and was connected with high society personalities.
“It is clear from the statements and electronic evidence gathered by NCB that applicant is an active member of the drug syndicate connected with high society personalities and drug suppliers. There is sufficient evidence that she is involved in drug trafficking. The applicant used to facilitate drug deliveries and payment through credit cards/cash/payment gateways for the contraband.”
NCB filed a similar response to Showik’s bail plea as well.
Declaring that the investigation was at a crucial stage, NCB said that if they were released on bail, it could hamper the probe.
Rhea Chakraborty and Showik’s judicial custody had earlier been extended upto October 6.
On the other hand, Rhea Chakraborty’s bail plea had claimed that she was being subjected to a witch-hunt by the NCB at the instance of three central agencies without any evidence. She had also alleged that Sushant “took advantage of those closest to him to sustain his drug habit” and that he “was the only consumer of drugs and that he was directing his staff members to procure his drugs”.