Karti Chidambaram jumps to Rhea Chakraborty's defence, questions need for judicial custody

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram questioned the need to keep Rhea Chakraborty in judicial custody as a Mumbai sessions court rejected the bail plea of all the accused arrested by the NCB in the Sushant case drug nexus probe. 

The Sivaganga MP questioned the need for custody in 'investigations' as such and said that 'persons under “investigation” or “under trial” have no reason to be in custody unless there are some very overwhelming and compelling reasons'. Karti as well as his father and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram have spent copious time in ED custody in the INX Media case probe. 

Further, Karti Chidambaram said that jail was just an exception and that bail was the norm, calling for the need to have a 'serious overhaul'. The Congress stalwart's son also termed the sessions court's verdict as ridiculous. 

READ | Rhea Chakraborty, Showik & Others' Bail In NCB's Sushant Case Drug Nexus Probe Rejected

'Need serious overhaul' 

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Rhea, others' bail pleas rejected

The Mumbai sessions court on Thursday has rejected the bail applications of Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, and others who were arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the drug probe in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. Apart from Rhea, those whose bail plea has been rejected by Special judge GB Gurao of the special court are Sushant's ex house manager Samuel Miranda, his staff Dipesh Sawant, alleged drug peddlers Zaid and Basit. Rhea, Showik and others are currently lodged in Byculla jail. After hearing the arguments of all sides, the sessions court on Thursday had reserved the verdict. 

As the verdict was pronounced, Dipesh Sawant's lawyer told media that they will move Bombay High Court to challenge the bail rejection order by the sessions court. He said that the sessions court has not provided any reason to reject the bail plea, however, the full order is awaited. Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer Satish Maneshinde said that he will decide next week on the course of action on approaching the High Court after he gets the order copy. Rhea was sent to judicial custody for 14 days after her arrest on Tuesday, her brother Showik was in Narcotics Control Bureau remand since September 4. They are also being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the death of the actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

READ | Sushant Death Probe LIVE Updates: Rhea Chakraborty & Showik's Bail Plea Rejected By Court

Rhea's bail petition in Sessions Court

According to the NCB, Rhea - who is charged under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii), 22, 27A, 28, and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985 - was confronted with co-accused Showik, Samuel Miranda and Dipesh Sawant. She allegedly revealed her involvement in the procurement of drugs and financial transactions. 

However, in the bail plea filed in the Sessions Court, it was argued that Rhea is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. Her counsels contended that the offence was bailable citing that no drugs or psychotropic substances were seized. Claiming that Section 27A of the NDPS Act was applied without evidence, they disputed the charge that Rhea had financed the illicit traffic of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. Moreover, the advocates claimed that there is no allegation of their client procuring or financing any drug outside of the period during which she was in a relationship with Sushant Singh Rajput.

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