A special court under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act has ordered defreezing Rhea Chakraborty’s bank accounts. The order was issued after the actress filed a plea for defreezing her bank accounts.
As per the India Today report, Rhea, in her plea for defreezing her accounts, had stated that she is an ‘actor/model by profession’ and the NCB freezing her accounts ‘and FDs by Notice dated 16/09/2020 without reason, is causing grave injustice and prejudice to her’.
She also reportedly stated that the bank account is required for paying salaries to her employees and fulfilling various tax liabilities including GST payments. Rhea added that she supports herself with the money from the accounts and her brother is also dependant on her. The application further noted that freezing her accounts for 10 months is causing ‘prejudice’ to her.
However, Special Public Prosecutor Atul Sarpande representing the NCB opposed her plea and cited that financial investigation in the case is underway but not completed yet. So unfreezing her account could hamper the investigation.
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The report also quoted Special judge DB Mane judgement after hearing both sides. The judge said, “From the reply of the investigating officer, it appears that there is no strong objection from the NCB side for defreezing the bank accounts and FDs of Chakraborty. In such circumstances, Chakraborty is entitled to defreezing the bank accounts and FDs subject to conditions and undertaking supported by an affidavit stating that during the pendency and conclusion of the trial of the case, she shall make the balance amount, as shown in the concerned account as on 16/09/2020, available for passing necessary orders, as and when required.”
The court ordered that the gadgets be returned to Rhea on ‘Supurtnama’ after due verification and identification, and executing indemnity bond for Rs 1,00,000.(NCB) arrested her in connection with the drug case. The NCB also arrested her brother and over two dozen others, including alleged drug peddlers, last year in the same case. The Chakraborty siblings have since been released on bail.
Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai apartment on June 14, 2020. Three Central agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate are probing the high-profile case, which grabbed several eyeballs last year.
(With inputs from agencies)