The Bombay High Court Finally Sets Rhea Chakraborty Free

Actress Rhea Chakraborty has finally been granted bail after being in jail for nearly a month on drug-related charges. 

Sushant Singh Rajput’s assistants Dipesh Sawant and Samuel Miranda have also been granted bail. Rhea’s brother Showik Chakraborty’s bail plea however got rejected. 

“We are delighted by the order. Truth and Justice have prevailed and ultimately the submissions on facts and law have been accepted by Justice Sarang V Kotwal,” said Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer Satish Maneshinde.

He further added, “The arrest and custody of Rhea was totally unwarranted and beyond the reach of law. The hounding and witch-hunt by three central agencies, the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the Narcotics Control Bureau should come to an end. We remain committed to truth. Satyameva Jayate.”

Rhea was arrested on September 8 by the Narcotics Control Bureau on charges of procuring drugs for Sushant Singh Rajput. She was also accused of being “an active member of a drugs syndicate.” 

This is what the court observed while giving its verdict on Rhea’s case: 

1. The Bombay HC said it doesn’t think that celebrities and role models should be treated harshly so that it sets an example for the young generation.

2. The court said, “Everybody in equal before law. No celebrity or role model enjoys any special privilege before the court of law. Similarly, such person also does not incur any special liability when he faces law in the courts. Each case will have to be decided on its own merits irrespective of the status of the accused.”

3. She is not part of drug dealers. She has not forwarded the drugs allegedly procured by her to somebody else to earn monetary or other benefits.

4. Since she has no criminal antecedents, there are reasonable grounds for believing that she is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.

5. There are reasonable grounds for believing that she is not guilty of any offence punishable under Sections 19, 24 or 27A(of NDPS Act) or any other offence involving commercial quantity.

The following are the bail conditions laid by The High Court: 

1. Deposit passport

2. Report every day for 10 days to Mumbai Police

3. Furnish bail bond Rs. 1 lakh

4. Cannot leave country

5. Cannot meet with any other witness

6. Must inform Investigating Officer if she is going out of Greater Mumbai, give itinerary advance

7. Report on the first Monday of every month before investigating agency, for six months

8. Attend all dates in court unless prevented by any reasonable cause

9. Not to tamper with evidence or investigation of the case

Ironically Rhea Chakraborty had become a victim of criticism and misogyny of the highest degree that the Indian media has ever witnessed, even before being pronounced guilty. The High Court’s decision has been heartily welcomed by her supporters and her colleagues in the film industry who stood by the actress during her most trying times.