New Delhi: A special court in Mumbai has permitted the defreezing of multiple bank accounts belonging to actor Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, and their mother Sandhya Chakraborty.
The accounts were frozen by the Narcotics Control Bureau in 2020 during the investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. While some accounts were released in 2021, the family approached the court again seeking access to additional accounts held in ICICI, Axis, and Kotak banks.
Court examines NDPS Act provisions
The plea, filed through advocates Ayaz Khan and Zehra Charania, focused on accounts largely held jointly by family members. The applicants argued that the NCB failed to comply with Section 68F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, which governs the seizure and freezing of assets linked to drug-related offences.
They told the court that such freezing must be confirmed by a competent authority within a specified time frame. Advocate Ayaz Khan said this requirement was not met in the case of the four accounts under review.
The prosecution, led by Additional Public Prosecutor Geeta Nayyar, opposed the plea. The NCB argued that statements recorded during the probe indicated that Rhea Chakraborty was allegedly linked to a drug network and had contact with drug suppliers, which justified freezing the accounts.
Judge cites procedural lapse
Special judge UC Deshmukh observed that the legal process under the NDPS Act had not been followed. The court pointed out that any freezing order must be confirmed within 30 days to remain valid.
In his order, the judge stated, “The NCB does not deny that there is no compliance of Sub-section (2) of Section 68F of the Act. There is no order as contemplated to be passed under such provisions of Act. Therefore, in view of the observations of the Hon’ble High Court in Jatinder (supra) and provisions of Section 68F of the Act, the application is liable to be allowed.”
After this, the court allowed the defreezing of the accounts. Rhea Chakraborty and her family have not issued any official response to the ruling.
Actor speaks about comeback and support system
Separately, Rhea Chakraborty is preparing for a return to acting with a project by filmmaker Hansal Mehta. She said she had initially declined the offer before agreeing to take it up.
“Hansal sir and the writer asked me what was stopping me. I told them I had left acting and they said that’s all the more reason I should do it because it does not matter whether I do well or not. Now I’m glad I said yes, it was different coming on set, such a long life has been lived in the last seven years. It’s like cycling, something you never forget.”
She also spoke about the support she received during a difficult phase, especially from close friends including Shibani Dandekar.
“My girl friends have shown me what true friendship is. To be loved for no reason and at the cost of their lives and livelihoods being in trouble is phenomenal,” she said.
She added, “I’m grateful to have such women in my life, who lift each other up. On one hand I saw the worst side of humans but on the other side I also experienced the most beautiful side of humanity.”