Rhea Chakraborty actively aided, financed co-accused in drug transactions, no SC bar on NCB's jurisdiction: NCB to Bombay HC

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has told the Bombay High Court that actress Rhea Chakraborty has actively aided, abetted and financed transactions for the procurement of drugs for consumption by late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. .The NCB also re-asserts that her brother Showik Chakraborty was also part of these transactions, and that he has made payments for the drugs with Rhea's knowledge and using her cash or card. .The submissions were made in the NCB's reply to bail applications filed by Rhea and Showik Chakraborty before the Bombay High Court, which challenge the Special NDPS Court's order rejecting their bail pleas..The NCB has contended that application ought to be dismissed..Responding to the contention raised by the applicant's counsel that the NCB has no jurisdiction to probe the present case, the agency states that the Supreme Court earlier has only directed that “cases registered on the death of the actor Sushant Singh Rajput and the surrounding circumstances of his unnatural death” are to be investigated by the CBI..The NCB adds that this drug case is not concerned with the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. Therefore, it has the jurisdiction to deal with the case, it is asserted. .The NCB goes on to detail their narration of the facts leading up to the arrest of Rhea and her brother. .NCB submitted that their investigation has shown that Rhea and her brother has dealt with and financed the illicit trafficking of drugs. They added that due to the evidence, they believe that Rhea and her brother are "involved in a drug syndicate connected with drug supplies.".They also allege that the siblings are connected with the co-accused in this matter. NCB has recovered commercial quantities of narcotics from the other co-accused. The NCB reiterates that they have electronic and financial evidence to show Rhea and her brother are involved in this drug trafficking. ."They have actively aided, abetted and financied other accused person for the drug transaction in pursuance of criminal conspiracy”, states the agency's reply..It adds that the drugs procured were not meant for personal consumption but for supplying to another. .Further, it is argued that Rhea was harbouring and concealing Sushant Singh Rajput who was consuming the drugs procured. It is alleged that her house was also used for drug storage and consumption by Rajput..On these grounds, the NCB asserts that Section 27A of the NDPS Act (Punishment for financing illicit traffic and harbouring offenders) will also apply in this case. .Further, it is submitted that the rigours of Section 37, NDPS Act will apply. This provision places an embargo on the grant of bail, unless there are reasonable grounds to believe that accused is not guilty after having heard the Public Prosecutor..It is also informed that the NCB has filed an application in the Special NDPS Court to challenge the bail granted to another co-accused, and that notice has been issued by the Special Court in the matter..Rhea Chakraborty and her brother filed bail applications in the Bombay High Court after the Special NDPS Court rejected their bail pleas on September 11..Illegal drug trafficking and financing or mere drug consumption: Why NDPS Court rejected Showik and Rhea Chakraborty bail plea [Read Order].Their application enlists various grounds for invoking bail..Only role is purchase of small quantity of drugs for Sushant Singh Rajput, offence is bailable: Rhea Chakraborty’s bail application.Both applications were listed for hearing in Bombay HC before Justice SV Kotwal on September 24 when a preliminary hearing was conducted. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh had appeared for the NCB and sought time to reply to the bail applications at the time. The matter will be heard today..Bombay HC to hear bail applications by Rhea Chakraborty, Showik Chakraborty over arrest in NCB drug case on September 29