Entertainment, April 27: A special NDPS court in Mumbai has directed the immediate unfreezing of bank accounts belonging to actor Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty, citing procedural lapses by the Narcotics Control Bureau under the NDPS Act.
The accounts had been frozen during the agency’s probe into an alleged drugs case linked to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Represented by advocate Ayaz Khan, the siblings challenged the action, arguing that due process under Section 68F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, had not been followed.
The prosecution opposed the plea, citing statements attributed to Chakraborty and alleging links with individuals involved in drug supply. It maintained that freezing the accounts was necessary for the investigation.
However, Special NDPS Court Judge U C Deshmukh upheld the defence’s contention. The court observed that under Section 68F(2) of the law, any order to seize or freeze property must be confirmed by a competent authority within 30 days, failing which the action becomes invalid.
Noting that the NCB did not dispute non-compliance with this requirement, and referring to statutory provisions and a relevant high court ruling, the court held that the freezing order could not be sustained.
The judge allowed the application and permitted the siblings to operate their bank accounts in accordance with Reserve Bank of India regulations.
The NCB has been probing alleged drug use in the entertainment industry since Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020.
