Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 31, 2020)

One of the first few people from the industry to visit late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s family in Patna, Bihar, after his demise on June 14, actor Shekhar Suman is hopeful that now with Bihar Police also getting involved in the case, Rajput will finally get justice. On Tuesday, the late actor’s father filed an FIR against girlfriend, actor Rhea Chakraborty under various sections including abetment for suicide.

While one wonders what took the family so long to suspect foul play, Suman says, “They’ve waited long enough, for 44 days before taking this step. Somewhere, they weren’t convinced and were waiting for what would come out in the [ongoing] investigation. If this is a simple case of suicide, what took Mumbai Police so long to solve it?” he asks.

Suman says everyone feels Mumbai Police was trying to hide evidence. “No one was kept in the loop about the investigation. The family was helpless and had to file a FIR with Bihar police,” says the actor, who’s “disappointed” that the FIR says this is abetment for suicide.

“This is pre-meditated cold blooded murder. All circumstances and prima facie evidences point towards foul play,” he asserts.

Since the very first day of Rajput’s demise, it has been reported that he was suffering from depression. To this, Suman retorts, “It’s also been said that he was bipolar. Don’t we all face depression at some point or the other? Do we take our lives because of that? Though I don’t think he was suffering from any of these illnesses, even if he was, how do you prove that he committed suicide due to that?” he questions.

Much like others, Suman, too, feels that in absence of a suicide note, it’s wrong to conclude anything and agrees that the case has been politicised to an extent.

Reports have been alleging that Suman has political motive behind fighting this battle for Rajput. “If I had such inclinations, I would have done that directly. I held a non-political press conference in Bihar, met the political leaders because I wanted to pressure Mumbai Police. I lost my 11-year-old son so I know the pain,” he tells us.

On Kangana Ranaut also seeking justice for Rajput, Suman, 57, says, “It doesn’t matter who’s doing it as long as justice is served. We just need the truth to be out soon. We’ll finally get the honest closure.”