Mumbai: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is likely to summon actor Deepika Padukone and her manager, Karishma Prakash, as part of its larger investigation into the supply and use of drugs in Bollywood.

Another set of celebrities, Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh and Simone Khambatta, will be summoned this week in connection with the case registered by the NCB office in Delhi. This case emerged out of the series of chats purportedly recovered from actor Rhea Chakraborty’s cellphone indicating procurement and supply of drugs.

The ED investigating the money laundering charges in the Sushant Singh Rajput death had recovered the chats and sent them to NCB Delhi.

The city unit of the NCB has so far arrested 20 people related to drug peddling following investigations into Rajput’s death. Chakraborty has been arrested for alleged involvement in procuring and financing drugs for Rajput. Her brother, Showik, has also been arrested.

On Tuesday, the NCB questioned Rajput’s talent manager, Jaya Saha.

The NCB has registered two FIRs in the Rajput death case. One pertains to Chakraborty’s alleged involvement in procuring and financing drugs for Rajput.

The other focuses on the wider spectrum of use of drugs in Bollywood. It is in this case registered by the NCB inn Delhi that the agency has summoned Padukone and the others.

Lawyers said it was unusual that two units of the same agency were conducting investigations where there were commonalities.

“This case originated from the office of CBI and ED sent it to NCB as information,” advocate Rizwan Merchant said. “It was one information so the entire investigation is supposed to be a single one in respect of NDPS Act, which was disclosed to the officer of ED. Now, NCB cannot say that they want to record a second FIR in respect of some particular transaction which has come to light during the course of their investigations. This cannot be done unless and until they have decided that all consumers are supposed to be compiled in one case. If they have done it for convenience, it’s all right; it could be inter-department adjustment. Legally speaking there cannot be a second FIR in this particular case.”

Advocate Ayaz Shaikh called it a strange investigation. “My question is, have these Bollywood figures played any role as regards to the death of Sushant? If not, why is the NCB maligning them? Some of the chats messages are of 2017 . How are those chats connected with Sushant’s death?” advocate Ayaz Shaikh Said.

Rhea’s lawyer Satish Maneshinde said he was not surprised but “was shocked” with all that was happening in the NCB.

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The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), investigating the alleged drug syndicate in Bollywood, on Tuesday summoned Deepika Padukone's talent manager Karishma Prakash for allegedly procuring drugs for the actress. The officers said they will soon question Padukone as well.

Karishma Prakash, who is associated with KWAN talent management, was named by Jaya Saha — former talent manager of the later Sushant Singh Rajput — who was questioned by the NCB officers at their guest house in South Mumbai for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.

"She [Prakash] didn't join [the probe] citing ill health. She has sought exemption till September 25," said NCB Deputy Director (Operations) K P S Malhotra.

The NCB officers said Prakash was summoned on the basis of alleged WhatsApp chats between her and Padukone. In the conversation that NCB says took place on October 28, 2017, Padukone allegedly asked her manager to procure 'hash' for her.

The NCB says, according to the texts exchanged between the two on a WhatsApp group of which Saha was also a part, Padukone asked Prakash if she had 'maal'. Her manager told her that 'Amit' is 'carrying' hash. The chat also mentioned one other name — Shal.

They were planning to meet at KOKO, a restarurant at Kamala Mills Compund in Lower Parel, according to the chats. "We will first record the statement of her manager to understand from where she procured the drugs and who are the other people mentioned in the WhatsApp chats. Then, we will decide on recording Padukone's statement," said an NCB officer.

The NCB has already said that they will record the statements of actresses Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet and Shraddha Kapoor, and fashion designer Simmone Khambata next week. Agency sources also said that some of the drug peddlers arrested in the case have named actress Dia Mirza as well. She has refuted the allegation.

Meanwhile, actress Rhea Chakraborty who is in judicial custody has filed a fresh bail application before the Bombay High Court. "Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty have filed an application for bail. Justice Sarang V Kotwal of the Bombay HC will hear their pleas on Wednesday, September 23," said Rhea's advocate Satish Maneshinde.