ED Is Probing Charge By Actor’s Dad
Vijay V Singh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 5, 2020)

Mumbai: A month-long investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has not revealed any money-laundering aspect linked to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide, highly-placed sources said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had on July 31 registered a case of money laundering after taking cognisance of a Bihar police FIR registered against his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and others for abetment to suicide. The investigation indicated there was no siphoning off of Rs 15 crore from Rajput’s account as alleged by his father K K Singh in his complaint to the Bihar police.

Sources stated ED officials didn’t find anything to establish money laundering although the agency is coordinating with the CBI and other agencies in case they unearth any suspicious transaction related to Rajput during their investigation. Mumbai police had earlier said there was no suspicious transaction from the late actor’s account.

The ED has conducted an in-depth probe, questioning at least 15 people, including Rajput’s family members, business associates, chartered accountant and his manager besides Rhea and her brother, and examining all the accounts associated with Rajput as well as the people who had transactions with those accounts and recorded statements of those concerned.

ED also examined the details of two companies, Vividrage Rhealityx Pvt Ltd, which was formed in September 2019, in which Rajput, Rhea and her brother Showik were directors. The second company - Front India for World Foundation - was formed in January 2020, in which Rajput and Showik were directors. Both the companies have registered offices at the same address at Ulwe in Navi Mumbai. There was no major or suspicious transaction found in these two companies, sources said. They also checked details of Innsaei Ventures Pvt Ltd in which Rajput was one of the directors along with Varun Mathur. Mathur’s statement has been recorded.

Officials also questioned those who had discussed business dealings with Rajput and retrieved chat messages during their investigation. They also examined if any payment was made to Rajput in cash or through any other channel at the behest of Rhea or other accused named in the Bihar FIR. During its probe, the ED came across a bank locker of Rhea which had jewellery worth several lakhs, but most of it was accounted for.

The ED even questioned celebrity talent manager Jaya Saha, who had generated Rs 10 crore business for Rajput before his death. ED examined her about the mode of payment, but they didn’t find any strong evidence suggesting diversion of funds.

The ED investigation in the case opened a Pandora’s box after the agency seized the phones of Rhea, Showik and others for examination. The ED called some of those whose names were found in chat messages that referred to financial transactions. The ED forwarded the details to NCB, which registered a case against Rhea and others for drug use.