A Mumbai court in a recent order granted Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty's plea seeking de-freezing of her bank accounts frozen by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) after she was arrested in a drug case being probed in relation to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death.
In her plea, Rhea Chakraborty said that she is 'an actor/model by profession' and that 'NCB freezed the bank accounts and FDs by Notice dated 16/09/2020 without reason, and it is causing grave injustice and prejudice' to her.
She also reportedly stated that the bank account is required for paying salaries to her employees and fulfilling various tax liabilities including GST payments. Rhea added that she supports herself with the money from the accounts and her brother is also dependent on her.
The Special Public Prosecutor Atul Sarpande representing the NCB opposed the application while stating that financial investigation in the case is going on, and if the accounts are defreezed, then it will hamper the investigation. However, the investigating officer in the case said that it would be best to leave the issue to the discretion of the court.
Special judge DB Mane said, "From the reply of the investigating officer, it appears that there is no strong objection from the NCB side for defreezing the bank accounts and FDs of Chakraborty."
The judge further added, "In such circumstances, Chakraborty is entitled for defreezing the bank accounts and FDs subject to conditions and undertaking supported by an affidavit stating that during the pendency and conclusion of the trial of the case, she shall make the balance amount, as shown in the concerned account as on 16/09/2020, available for passing necessary orders, as and when required."
In another plea, Rhea Chakraborty sought that her gadgets, that were seized, be returned. Atul Sarpande said that the articles were seized and sent to laboratory and now they have received the same from laboratory. It is further submitted that the investigating officer has already informed the actress to collect her property.
The court passed an order in her favour, stating that her gadgets be returned 'after due verification and identification, and executing indemnity bond for Rs 1,00,000'.