New Delhi: Investigations into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput dominated headlines across all English and Hindi channels Tuesday evening as news came in of an FIR filed by his family against his rumoured partner Rhea Chakraborty and her family.
While Aaj Tak and ABP News discussed the new “twist” in the case, India TV‘s Rajat Sharma read out the list of accusations against Rhea point by point. Rhea herself had demanded a CBI probe into Sushant’s death, all the anchors reminded us.
Meanwhile, Mirror Now took the road less travelled, focusing on the nudity and obscenity debate with respect to case of Kerala activist Rehana Fathima, who posted a video online of her children painting her semi-nude body.
But first, to B-town, which everyone and their uncle claims to have inside knowledge of and be an expert on.
CNN News 18’s anchor Zakka Jacob declared, “Rajput’s family has filed an FIR against Chakraborty and her family — Rs 15 crore disappeared from Sushant’s bank account and Rhea left with Sushant’s cash and cards on 8 June 2020.”
MP and senior BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy, who has long been demanding a CBI inquiry, said, “What is important is the attempts that have been made to suppress the investigations and then ultimately botch up the investigation.”
Republic TV‘s Arnab Goswami took the opportunity to, yet again, attack ‘lobbies’. Calling out those “big stars and producers with their fake, weepy tweets” after the death of Rajput, Goswami said that they all must be investigated.
“There are two factors — one is, of course, Rhea and the other is Bollywood. The fact remains that the Maharashtra police failed, there should be a CBI investigation,” said RJD spokesperson and MLA Ejya Yadav, another domain expert.
BJP leader and Sushant’s cousin Neeraj Singh Babloo commented, “We had some evidence to file this (FIR).” Babloo had stated earlier as well that he doesn’t believe it to be a case of suicide.
On Mirror Now, Tanvi Shukla looked at activist Rehana Fathima, who was booked for a video showing her minor children painting on her semi-nude body. She had moved the Supreme Court for anticipatory bail.
“Obscenity is in the eyes of the beholder. The question is how people perceive it. Just because there is nudity involved, does not mean it is obscene,” said SFLC’s legal director Prashant Sugathan.
CPI Leader Annie Raja weighed in, noting that “the core issue is that a woman’s body is viewed as a sexual object. Even the court seems uncomfortable about a woman’s body. No one was forced to watch the video!”
“If people really want to raise a point, they should go to Bollywood and book everyone who objectifies women. I don’t think Rehana Fathima seems to be doing that here,” argued activist Yogita Bhayana.
After that brief interlude, back to Sushant Singh Rajput on the Hindi channels. Aaj Tak‘s Chitra Tripathi informed viewers that Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan has spoken to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, urging him for a CBI probe into the alleged suicide case.
She added that Rajput’s father, KK Singh’s FIR against Rhea directly accuses her of “taking Sushant’s money”, “abetment to suicide” and “distancing him from his family.”
On India TV, anchor Rajat Sharma started off by saying that he would reveal things about the case that will leave the viewers “shocked.”
“I am going to tell you what Sushant’s father has said, how he was blackmailed through a conspiracy, how he was pressurised, looted…” Sharma said, behaving like the narrator of a soap opera instead of a news anchor.
Covering the chronology of events since the Dil Bechara actor’s death, Sharma said that according to the FIR, “Rhea blackmailed Sushant, gave him overdose of medicines, blocked his phone, snatched his credit cards, extorted crores, changed his staff and hatched a conspiracy to distance him from his family.”
MSK RAO Sahab Reah Chakravarty se kitna paise liye?
Really people ? Thrre are proofs of Riys involment and the evidence has been tampered. And you are supporting Rea.
,? What is your ajanda? When did jurnalist started to judge the common people . I thought you should be the voice of people not voice of criminals . Please people dont consider this as the source of information . You will find the truth by watching real news. I am not even a relative of sushanth nor a movie fan yet felt the injustice . There are so many who came to gathering to give justice to sushanth . Dont be insensitive .
Tagging another news anchors is not very nice thing for another news writer or publisher. You can look into your presentation part.
Rhea Chakravarty is being framed by Bollywood Mafia – Khan 3 musketiers Gang who wants to twist the Suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput on 12 Jun 2020 in connivance with Sushant Singh s Rathore s father KK Singh……Rhea Chakrabarty left Sushant ‘s Apartment on 8 June 2020 – 6 days before Suicide …… Sushant ‘s sister came and stayed with Sushant, then how Sushant’s father can claim that…… Q1. Rhea Chakrabarty made Sushant DISTANCE from family is false claim of Sushants father as Sushant Singh Rathore has been handed over to family members on 8 June 2020 , 6 days before suicide? Q2. Claim that Rhea Chakrabarty blackmailed through a conspiracy, how Sushant Singh Rathore was pressurised, looted… is another false claim of Sushant Singh’s father KK Singh as he didn’t file any Police Complaint before Suicide knowing fully well precarious weak Mental state of his son Sushant Singh Rathore ?
Popular news channels were gifted with a godsend opportunity of a sensational twist in the story. So, the media trial will now go on endlessly. However, the matter is now sub-judice on the basis of jurisdictional issue, as Rhea Chakravarti has moved the Supreme Court. All the alleged offenses, recorded in the FIR prima fancies have occurred in Mumbai. So, technically Rhea Chakravarti’s plea appears to be just and fair. Irrespective of what has been alleged , the Bihar police have no locus- standi in the case. The case can be investigated either by the Mumbai police or the CBI. Let the Supreme Court decide in the matter.