The Bureau of Narcotics Control (NCB) questioned Bollywood actresses Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan and Shraddha Kapoor on Saturday in connection with the investigation of an alleged drug nexus involving members of the film industry.
The investigation was initially initiated by the NCB investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and led to the arrest of his fellow resident, Rhea Chakraborty, for acquiring drugs on his behalf.
Earlier on Friday, the NCB questioned actor Rakul Preet Singh along with Jaya Saha and Karishma Prakash, who are employees of the Kwan talent management agency.
Kwan’s employee Karishma Prakash (left), fashion designer Simone Khambatta (center), and Sushant Singh Rajput’s talent manager Jaya Saha
Kshitij Ravi Prakash, a former contract employee of Dharma Productions, was also detained on Friday night after being questioned and arrested the next day. The agency took him for a medical exam on Saturday. In a statement, the producer, director and head of Dharma Productions, Karan Johar, denied any link to Kshitij Prasad or Anubhav Chopra, who was also questioned in connection with the case.
Kshitij Ravi Prakash at NCB’s Mumbai office on Saturday (Photo credits: PTI)
A small amount of marijuana was reportedly recovered from Prasad’s home in Mumbai when he was in Delhi.
In response to Johar’s statement, the NCB also clarified Saturday that it is not investigating a party hosted by the director in 2019.
– Karan Johar (@karanjohar) September 25, 2020
According to the latest contributions, NCB has seized the mobile phones of the three actors along with those of Karishma Prakash, Jaya Saha, Rakul Preet Singh and fashion designer Simone Khambatta. These will be sent for forensic analysis.
The OCN said it has not issued a new subpoena to anyone else and is likely to go to Delhi on Sunday to present a full report to CEO Rakesh Asthana.
Deepika padukone
Accompanied by her husband, actor Ranveer Singh, actress Deepika Padukone flew back to Mumbai from Goa, where she was filming a movie on Friday night. She arrived at the OCN office in Mumbai around 9.45am on Saturday morning.
Actor Deepika Padukone at NCB’s Mumbai office on Saturday (Photo credits: PTI)
Initial entries had suggested that Deepika was the administrator of a WhatsApp group where drugs were discussed in 2017. Deepika’s manager, Karishma Prakash, also arrived at the NCB office around 10.50am. M.
NCB sources claimed that Deepika Padukone broke down three times during interrogation and was told not to play the “emotional card.” She accepted that the WhatsApp chats in question belong to her, but denied using or supplying drugs to anyone else. Deepika was released after five hours of questioning and was not asked about anything in relation to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Shraddha Kapoor
Actor Shraddha Kapoor arrived at NCB’s office at 11:45 a.m. Saturday after being summoned by the agency. She also denied using drugs and was allowed to leave around 5.45pm after being questioned for nearly six hours.
Actor Shraddha Kapoor at NCB’s Mumbai office on Saturday (Photo credits: PTI)
Sara ali khan
The NCB had summoned actress Sara Ali Khan for questioning around 10:30 a.m. M., But it was rescheduled for 12:30 p.m. M. According to your request. She arrived at the NCB office at 1 pm and was questioned until 5.45 pm when she was photographed returning home.
During her interaction with NCB officials, Sara said she smoked cigarettes but denied using illegal drugs. In addition, she claimed that she became closer to actor Sushant Singh Rajput during the filming of Kedarnath and even met him at parties.
Actress Sara Ali Khan at NCB’s Mumbai office on Saturday (Photo credits: PTI)
Sara has not responded to the allegations made against her by Sushant’s roommate Rhea Chakraborty, who accused her of introducing the deceased actor to illegal drugs.
Rakul Preet Singh
Actor Rakul Preet Singh, who was questioned by the NCB on Friday, has moved to the Delhi High Court seeking a provisional address for respondents.
Actor Rakul Preet Singh leaves NCB’s Mumbai office on Friday (Photo credits: PTI)
The statement seeks to ensure that the media does not broadcast any program or publish, print or circulate any article related to the fact that she is questioned by the anti-drug agency.
