Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday recommended a CBI probe into the actorShushant Singh Rajput's death on June 14. Kumar’s announcement came after Bihar police chief Gupteshwar Pandey spoke with the actor’s father earlier in the day. Since the family has given its consent, we are recommending a CBI probe on the FIR which was lodged in Bihar," said Nitish Kumar. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had earlier ruled out a CBI investigation alongside the Mumbai police probe into the actor's death.
The case has taken a political turn in Bihar with the opposition and ruling allies both demanding a CBI probe and Nitish Kumar facing criticism for not taking proactive steps earlier. His latest move indicates the Chief Minister's belated realization that the case could cast a shadow on the Bihar polls due later this year.
Nitish Kumar's move comes a day before the Supreme Court hears the petition of Sushant Singh Rajput's friend Rhea Chakraborty challenging the Bihar police's role in the investigations and asking for the transfer of the FIR filed in Patna by the actor's family to Mumbai. The state governments of Bihar and Maharashtra have already filed separate caveats in the top court seeking to be heard before any order is passed on Chakraborty's plea. The father of the late actor has also filed a caveat in the apex court.
The acrimony between Maharashtra and Bihar police over jurisdictional issues escalated after an IPS officer, who had landed in Mumbai on Sunday for leading the SIT probe in the case, was quarantined under the COVID-19 regulations in force in the city.
Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala criticised the Nitish Kumar's move and said that It is the responsibility of the state government to maintain law and order within the state. He further said that Nitish Kumar should read the Constitution again. Nitish Kumar or the Bihar government cannot interfere with the investigations by trying to force its way in. Maharashtra minister Aaditya hackeray on Tuesday said he and his family are being targeted for no reason in actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case and stressed he is nowhere related to the matter.
