Launches Bihar Campaign With Attack On RJD
Jai Narain Pandey & Madan Kumar | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 8, 2020)

Patna: Bihar CM and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar raised the issue of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death in his virtual poll rally on Monday. “I have full faith that the CBI investigation would ensure justice for his family and the people of Bihar,” he said.

Nitish said the death of the actor not only affected his family, the people of Bihar, but also crores of people across the country.

The JD(U) chief said the Supreme Court also vetted the CBI probe. “I have complete faith that the CBI investigation will ensure justice in the case,” he said.

Kumar also launched an attack on RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family. He recounted his government’s achievements in all spheres over the past 15 years and contrasted it with the 15 years of the “patipatni sarkar” referring to the RJD rule of Lalu Prasad and later his wife Rabri Devi’s tenures between 1990 and 2005.

With this, Nitish set the JD (U) agenda for the coming election. He countered Chirag Paswan-led LJP, and opposition’s charges on employment, handling of coronavirus pandemic and floods too.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 30, 2020)

For the last few days, producer Sandip Ssingh is drawing a lot of attention in the Sushant Singh Rajput case, with allegations of foul play being levelled against him by social media users and TV channels reporting that he was planning to leave the country. While Sushant Singh Rajput’s family members have reportedly stated that they don’t know him, he was seen handling all the formalities at the hospital post Sushant’s demise and even made arrangements for the actor’s funeral.

Literally caught off guard, Sandip was seen dodging the cameras on Friday. Actor Shekhar Suman, who had started the Justice For Sushant Forum, speaks to BT about his equation with Sandip Ssingh. Excerpts:

Tell us about your equation with Sandip Ssingh...
He was the producer of Sanjay Dutt’s Bhoomi (2017). We spent a month shooting in Agra together. I have known him for longer than that, though it was off and on. He had contacted my son Adhyayan for a movie, which didn’t work out, but that is how it began. There was a professional relationship. Going by my equation with him, I felt he was a fun-loving guy who was totally engrossed with a lot of projects of his own, and he knew people and people knew him in the film industry. That was it. These recent developments have come as a huge surprise. Let the investigation go on and let’s see what happens. But before this, there was nothing abnormal or unusual about him that I noticed.

Did he ever mention to you that he was a close friend of Sushant?
No, he never mentioned anything, except once in a casual conversation, he had spoken about how Ranveer Singh got Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. He did mention that these films had gone to several actors and one of them was Sushant, who had turned them down. I asked him why Sushant would do that to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films. He said, ‘I don’t know, maybe he didn’t like the role or something.’ Why I remember this is because one would give an arm and a leg to work with that filmmaker. This was a casual chat and I really don’t know how close he was with Sushant or anyone else. Lately, he was planning another film with Sanjay Dutt called Blockbuster. We have had a couple of close friends chatting about it. He was excited about this project, which was to be produced by Anand Pandit. He would talk about this movie. In fact, I don’t think I had much of an interaction with him when he was making the film, PM Narendra Modi, though I used to read about the film in the newspapers.

So, how did both of you touch base again after Sushant’s death? You even visited Sushant’s family in Patna at their residence along with Sandip...
I saw him on TV, managing everything around Sushant. I didn’t want to call him right then, because I felt it wasn’t the right time to do that. I started tweeting about Sushant on my own. I interpreted his demise differently from day one. I felt there is more to it than meets the eye. I felt a different sort of a connection — he was a Bihari boy, people could barely make it to his funeral because of the Coronavirus situation and I am someone who has lost a son years ago. I wanted to meet Sushant’s father and share his grief. I have lived with my tragedy for years now and I haven’t been able to get over it. My family asked me why I was getting so involved, and that I should not go to Patna in the thick of the pandemic. I said to them, ‘Let me speak to Sandip, maybe he knows the family.’ I called him. That is the first time I asked him what had happened really and he said, ‘I will tell you later.’ I asked if there was a way to meet Sushant’s father K K Singh. Sandip told me that he was planning to go to Patna after the terahvi, post June 28. I said, ‘Fair enough. Can you please let them know that I will be coming, too?’ And that’s how we went. It would have been awkward to go just like that. In Patna, I stayed with my cousins at my maternal granny’s house and he stayed elsewhere. I think it was on June 29 that we went to Sushant’s house. We didn’t exchange words with the family. We just sat there for 10 minutes. I wanted to meet (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar for some political support for my Justice For Sushant Forum. I remember Sandip had asked me, ‘Why do you want to go ahead with this forum?’ I had said, ‘I want to, because I feel there is foul play and I should fight for it, instead of looking the other way.’ No one was talking about it at that time. It was my battle and I was okay with it being that way. I again asked him what had happened. He said, ‘I think it is suicide.’ I didn’t delve further into it. I met Tejashwi Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal leader), since Nitish Kumar could not make it, and told him about the forum. Prior to this meeting, Sandip, in fact, had asked me if I wanted to get Sushant’s father on to it and I said, ‘No. Later, if he wants to, he can be a part of it.’ After the press conference with Tejashwi in Patna, I didn’t speak to Sandip. And then he got into the thick of things as they are now. You see, I knew Sushant as a co-competitor from a reality show in 2010. But that was it. He had not even joined films. He was in the transition phase. I remembered him as a sweet boy. I don’t think I ever met him again after that, but I did watch some of his films.

Sushant’s family and friends have been saying that they don’t know Sandip Ssingh. How did he then make arrangements for the Patna visit?
There is a contradiction in this. From the footage that I saw on TV, he was seen with his arm around Sushant’s grieving sister. It seemed that he knew the family. He had even taken Ankita (Lokhande) to meet his family, so obviously he knew them. Also, I think for him, it’s not a big deal. And, when we went to Patna, everything was arranged and his family knew I was coming over.

On Friday, Sandip ran from the scene when he saw TV cameras following him. Reportedly, he has been dodging cameras by changing his locations, and not going to the house where he lives. Why do you think he is doing this?
I have no idea. Maybe because of the pressure and the intense media trial; anyone would be scared, especially if one feels he or she is getting cornered. But if you are honest, you should just come out and speak. That goes for everyone who knows Sushant or has anything to say. There is no need to hide and avoid speaking up. I feel Sandip should just come out and speak his side of the story like he did earlier. Running away will only lead to more speculation as to what it is that he is hiding. The investigating agencies will eventually make people speak and they will have to answer. They should come out and say it anyway. There is nothing to fear if you have been honest and have done no wrong.

Prafulla Marpakwar, Swati Deshpande & Madan Kumar | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 5, 2020)

Mumbai/Patna: With Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar pushing for a CBI probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the state’s home department made a formal request to the Centre on Tuesday seeking an investigation into the FIR lodged by the late actor’s father K K Singh at Rajiv Nagar police station in Patna.

The CM told mediapersons, “Everybody has been demanding a CBI probe in the actor’s case. The matter was also raised in the Bihar assembly on Monday and some MLAs demanded a CBI probe. After seeing the lack of cooperation from Mumbai police in investigation by Patna police, I am also of the view that CBI should conduct an inquiry in the case.” Nitish had criticised the “forced quarantining” of a Bihar IPS officer in Mumbai, hours after he landed in the city to pursue a probe into the Sushant case.

Bihar’s move evoked strong reactions from lawyer Satish Maneshinde who is the lawyer for Rhea Chakraborty, Sushant’s girl friend and an accused in the abetment to suicide case registered by Patna police. “There cannot be transfer of a case to CBI as the case has no legal basis for Bihar to get involved,’’ he said. “At best it would be a 'Zero FIR' in Patna and transferable to Mumbai Police.’’

Bihar’s demand for a CBI probe came a day before a hearing in Supreme Court on Rhea Chakraborty’s plea, seeking transfer of the case to Mumbai where a probe is already on. “One case is pending before the Supreme Court, while a public interest litigation has been filed before Bombay High Court. I am told both cases are coming up for admission/hearing on Wednesday. Under such circumstances, it will be appropriate to wait for the outcome,’’ said Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh.

Regarding the plea for transferring the case to CBI, senior crime counsel Amit Desai said, “The law is clear that every matter of death doesn’t require a CBI investigation, the guidelines of when a CBI must investigate are fairly well settled and include inter-state cases, complex cases, and where large public interest involved.”

He added, “Section 174 CrPC enquiry does empower the police in an enquiry into the death to look into all aspects including that of abetment to the suicide, which the Mumbai police are doing as it is the place of offence.’’

Former Bombay high court judge Justice V M Kanade said, “In the present case, the situation is peculiar in the sense that the Mumbai police is entitled to probe into the cause of death under section 174 of CrPC which it is doing. At this stage, the recommendation or consent for transfer for CBI appears to be premature since no report has been given so far by the Mumbai police on its inquiry.’ However, senior counsel Niteen Pradhan said a CBI probe may be justified as it would be prudent to task one agency with the investigation. “Also the Mumbai police has shown inordinate delay in concluding its probe into its cause of death,” he said.
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Two PILs filed in SC for CBI probe

Two public interest litigations (PILs) have been filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking a CBI probe into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. While one PIL has been filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ajay Agrawal, the other has been filed by a Mumbai-based law student, Dwivendra Devtadeen Dubey.

The PIL by Agrawal, who has been pursuing the politically sensitive Bofors scam case in apex court, seeks direction to CBI to take up investigation into Rajput’s death. The law student has sought the transfer of the FIR, lodged by the actor’s father KK Singh in Patna, either to the CBI or the NIA.

Significantly, a bench headed by Chief Justice S Bobde had, on July 30, junked a similar PIL seeking transfer of probe from Mumbai police to the CBI. PTI
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Grant Thornton is forensic auditor

Mumbai: City police on Tuesday appointed Grant Thornton — a network of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms — as the forensic auditor to examine Sushant Singh Rajput’s bank accounts for misappropriation of funds or fraudulent transactions. The auditor will go through Sushant’s banking transactions during his entire acting career starting with the TV serial ‘Pavitra Rishta’ in 2009. TNN

THE TIMES OF INDIA (August 4, 2020)

Mumbai/Patna: A day after Mumbai civic authorities quarantined Patna SP Vinay Tiwari, its staff launched a search for four Bihar cops, who are also in the city for the probe into the Sushant Singh Rajput case. A source said the cops stayed put at their current location on Monday to avoid surveillance.

Restricting the movements of the IPS officer, who is in town to probe the abetment to suicide case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has evoked strong reactions from Bihar government though BMC said it went by the rule book.

Based on a complaint by Sushant’s father, the team was deputed to Mumbai; Tiwari’s brief was to lead the team. On his arrival at an SRPF guest house in Goregaon – where arrangements were made for his stay – the officer was informed that it would not be possible for him to step out for 14 days.

Regarding the other cops, a BMC official said, they had said on arrival that they were on an assignment and would return as early as possible, but not that they were in town to probe the Sushant case. “There was a breach of protocol. We are looking for them. As per rules, they must be quarantined,’’ he said.

However, Bihar SSP Upendra Kumar Sharma said BMC’s action raises questions.“Why hasn’t BMC home-quarantined the Patna SIT team since July 27?’’ Tiwari said he was allowed to exit Mumbai airport after landing on Sunday at 4 pm following a temperature scan. Speaking of his confinement at the guest house, he said, “I told the BMC officials that an IPS officer on official duty cannot be quarantined in this manner. However, they cited an order of their senior authorities. I immediately brought the matter to the notice of my seniors in Patna.” Tiwari eventually allowed the BMC team to stamp him with the ‘home quarantined’ tag around 11.45pm.

Both the Bihar chief minister and DGP Gupteshwar Pandey, questioned the BMC’s action. “Whatever happened (with the SP) is not right… DGP Pandey has full information about the incident and he will speak to his counterpart in Maharashtra,” said Nitish Kumar. He described it as a case of “forced quarantining”, but said he would not take it up with his Maharashtra counterpart as it was not a “political issue”. “It is the legal responsibility of Patna police to investigate the case,” he said. Nitish avoided commenting on whether there would be a CBI inquiry into the Bollywood actor’s suicide case.

The DGP has now directed the Bihar police to lodge a protest. “The BMC commissioner would be asked to give exemption in order to free the IPS officer from home quarantine as he is on duty,” Pandey said. He said Maharashtra rules on quarantine allow the administration to exempt those involved in essential work. Refusing comment on Patna police’s jurisdiction in the case, he said, “The matter is pending in Supreme Court.”

BMC issued a statement to clear the air. It said Tiwari was “guided for home quarantine” as per guidelines for domestic flyers and has been asked “to apply to the competent authority of MCGM for exemption”.

City police chief Param Bir Singh denied he had a role and said it was a BMC decision.

BJP leader in BMC Vinod Mishra alleged that the state government was using BMC to derail the probe.
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ED records statement of CA, will call Rhea next

Vijay V Singh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 5, 2020)

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recorded the statement of a chartered accountant Sandeep Sridhar on transactions related to late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Shridhar was Rajput’s CA; ED will continue his questioning. A source said the ED asked Shridhar to submit more documents related to Rajput’s bank account. The source said the ED will call Rhea and her brother for questioning next.

An ED team visited a flat in Navi Mumbai which was mentioned as a registered office address of two companies that Rajput owned with Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik.

Sources said there was around Rs 15 crore in Rajput’s account till last year and they are looking at transactions linked to it. Earlier Shridhar told Mumbai police that there were no suspicious transactions from Rajput’s accounts. A source said, “The ED is enquiring about the source of money and its diversions. It is examining account details of all who received money from Rajput’s accounts or companies associated with him.”

The companies ED is investigating are Vividrage Rhealityx and Front India For World Foundation.

After Sushant Singh Rajput's kin indicate that Shekhar Suman is gaining political mileage from star's death, the actor claims RJD presser was to seek support for CBI inquiry
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 3, 2020)

Earlier this week, actor Shekhar Suman visited Sushant Singh Rajput's family in Patna, following it up with a strategically-timed press conference with the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former deputy chief minister of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav. The move did not go down well with the Rajput family, who accused him of politicising the actor's death.

Back in Mumbai after the visit, Suman is taken aback that his intentions are being questioned. "It's idiotic that people think I have ulterior motives," says the veteran actor-host, who had bonded with Rajput during Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 in 2010.

On June 23, Suman launched Justice For Sushant Forum to demand a CBI inquiry into the actor's death. He states that his Patna trip was to "muster support" for the online initiative. Why did he feel the need to conduct a press conference with Yadav? "It was to further the cause of the CBI inquiry. Political support can help. I also wanted to call on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, but due to Coronavirus restrictions, the meeting could not be held."

A section of Singh's fans have alleged that Suman is furthering his political ambitions through the episode. "Just because Bihar goes to the polls in October, people are assuming that I have vested interests," rues Suman, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2009 Lok Sabha election from the Patna Sahib constituency. "Over the years, I have got feelers to enter the fray, but I turned them down. I will seek support from leaders of different parties for the forum."

He empathises with the late actor's father K K Singh. "I can relate to his grief, I have also lost a child [elder son Ayush]. If his family is upset with me, they are being misguided, or there has been a misunderstanding. Most people shed tears on Twitter and move on after a tragedy. I don't want to."


Suman with RJD's Tejashwi Yadav

Mithilesh Sinha (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 27, 2018)

Padma Bhushan awardee Udit Narayan has succeeded in bringing electricity to Baisi, his native village in the Supaul district of Bihar. Sometime ago, the National Award-winning singer had gone to Nawada for a cultural function. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who is from the same district, was present on the occasion. “After singing some of my popular hits, I turned to Nitish ji who was with me on the dias and asked him how long my village will be in darkness. He smiled at my request for electricity and in his speech assured me that mere gaon mein bijli jaldi aayegi. I’m happy he fulfilled his promise,” Udit exults.

The villagers who saw electricity for the first time after independence, decided to felicitate Udit with garlands, with sarpanch Lalit Kumar Mishra honouring him with maithil paag. The overwhelmed singer says, “I got emotional when I saw the hut in which I was born, and pitting my forehead to the ground, kissed it. As a child I had studied in the light of a lantern and dhibri and it feels nice to see the blazing lights there today.”

Shatrughan Sinha speaks up in the aftermath of the BJP’s failure in Bihar
Subhash K Jha (DNA; November 16, 2015)


Your party’s defeat in Bihar has raised the question as to why you did not campaign in Bihar before elections?
I want to ask them this myself. I am an MP from Patna with a record margin of victory in the Lok Sabha elections. I am known as ‘Bihari Babu’. Yet I was not asked to campaign. I nonetheless swallowed my self-respect and on my own initiative, gave my party dates on October 6, 7 and 8 and again on the 24th, 25th and the 26th. My party’s high command accepted my offer and even expressed happiness at my offer.

What happened next?
Nothing! They didn’t get back to me with any of the logistics, how I’d travel, where I’d go, stay, etc. All my dates went to waste. They didn’t put my face or name in any of the election campaigns hoarding posters.

Leaving you out in Bihar was absurd...
I could see things were not going well. When Nitish Babu (Kumar) and Laluji (Yadav) joined hands, I knew there was trouble ahead for our party. But these people refused to see the writing on the wall. They were like, Hum toh doobe hain sanam, tumhe bhi le doobenge (I am drowning and I’ll make sure you drown, too.)

A BJP colleague called you a dog...
Do I stoop to their level? I tweeted saying, ‘Haathi chale Bihar, dot-dot-dot bhaunke hazaar.’ These are people I helped get votes during the Lok Sabha elections.

Maybe they feel the Prime Minister would be pleased if they abuse you?
Yes, this is the culture of sycophancy. The jee-huzoori culture. After such a humiliating defeat, they’re wasting time calling me names.

Your mentor LK Advani has also spoken up against BJP high command?
About time they paid attention to the voice of reason. I don’t want to say anything negative during Diwali when we should all be thinking spiritual thoughts.

You’ve met Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar after the election results. Does it mean you are joining them?
I will say till my last breath that I am a soldier of the BJP. I met them in a healthy spirit of appreciation and sportsmanship.

Since when has politics become healthy in our country?
I believe in it. Honesty and transparency are my guiding principles in politics. As an MP from Patna, it was only proper protocol that I meet my colleagues who have won. Such positive politicking was practiced by my idols like Jaiprakash Narain, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani. I believe my political opponents are not my enemies.

That’s way too idealistic?
Maybe I am being unrealistic. But I don’t see Nitish Babu or Laluji as my enemies. They are part of the same family. Even Narendra Modiji has congratulated them. If I embraced them and congratulated them, why is that being seen as a sign of my crossing over?

Asking again, is there a chance of you joining hands with Nitish Kumar?
Look, every action has an equal reaction. So far, the BJP is my first and last party. I am not going anywhere, unless they take action against me.

Shatrughan Sinha brushes off rumours that he’s quitting his party to join Nitish Kumar’s
Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 29, 2015)


Soul-searching, anyone?
Sinha has even been accused in the press of ‘cheating on the BJP’. Shotgun shoots back, “Cheating on the BJP? I am not married to the party. I am its loyal soldier. Zara si baat ka afsana bana dete hain log.… If some of my party members are confused, then let them be. Maybe it’s time for some soul-searching within my party.” Of his policies of co-existence Shatru says, “I believe in keeping politics and social equations away from one another... the fight is ideological, not personal.”

Emotional bond
As for meeting Bihar’s CM, Shatru concedes, “I did meet Nitish when I was in Patna last week. But I’ve been meeting him almost every time when I’ve been in Patna. There is an emotional bond between us independent of political affiliations. We have to meet over a cup of tea. Yes, there was a radical departure from protocol when we met this time. We had coffee instead of tea.”

Last word
Sinha has a question for the disgruntled elements who disapprove of his personal equation with Kumar. “If this is the way they’re treating me, why do they have so many expectations from me? If you’re going to insult, humiliate and snub me, I’ve my supporters, voters and well-wishers. Aapko jo karna hai aap karo, mujhe jo karna main karunga.”

DNA (May 20, 2014)

You have won by massive margin...
(Laughs) We’re getting ready for celebrations. I’ve been getting congratulatory calls and messages from colleagues and friends from the industry including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Shabana Azmi... I’ve won by a much higher margin than the last time.

What do you have to say to your detractors?
I hold no grudges against them. I forgive them, as they know not what they do or have been doing. I’ve broken my own previous record. Isske aage kya kehna? The people who were spreading rumours of my impending defeat were being sponsored by vested interests. But I am very happy. I had promised the people of Patna and members of my own political party that not only we will win but also make a new record. We’ve created a new milestone.

No non-Congress party has been given such a thumping majority in decades?
That’s exactly what I want my opponents to know. I want them to see the writing on the wall. I had predicted we’d cross 300 seats during this Lok Sabha elections. Our brothers and friends from the minority communities should understand that India has voted against Railgate, Coalgate, 2G, 3G and jijaji (Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law, Robert Vadra).

Does jijaji have reason to be scared now?
Anybody and everybody who has taken the country for a ride and who has indulged in massive corruption in the garb of white-collar crime would have to be dealt with firmly.

The general perception is that you belong to LK Advani camp...
Let me state clearly, I belong to no camp. Even as an actor I never belonged to any camp. I was as devoted to the film industry as I am to the BJP. Having said this, I’d like to add that Advaniji has contributed the maximum to bring the BJP into power. He is a friend, philosopher, guide, mentor and guru not only to me but the entire BJP. He is the party’s godfather.

Do the Muslims have reason to fear the Modi government?
I am glad you asked me this. I hope good sense prevails upon some of our friends from the minorities. Come and join the mainstream. Those who were spreading ugly rumours about Narendra Modi have all bitten the dust. And someone just had to resign from Bihar after taking on Narendra Modiji.

You mean Nitish Kumar?
Samajhane wale ko ishaara kaafi hai. Let the courts decide what happened in Gujarat in 2002. We are not a Banana Republic. We can’t proclaim judgement on someone. Forget the politics of caste and community. That’s outdated. Development, progress, prosperity, peace are the keywords. I tell my friends from the minority community even in Pakistan... Dushmani jamm ke karo par itni gunjaayish rahe jab kabhi hum dost bann jayen to sharminda na hona pade. Never over-shoot the runaway. Don’t vote for us. But don’t judge us on the basis of your prejudices. Rootho zaroor, tooto mat.

Are you going to take over the I&B portfolio?
I won’t hesitate to take up any responsibility. Long back I was offered the I&B portfolio but I had declined.

Why?
Hamare industry ke colleagues mera jeena haraam kar denge. And why me? There’s Hema Mailini also. There are other portfolios for me. It’s the prerogative of the Prime Minister. If he thinks me fit for a cabinet responsibility, I’ll take it up and handle it to the best of my abilities.