The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), investigating the alleged link between the drugs and Bollywood, could summon actor Deepika Padukone if necessary, an official said Tuesday. NCB sources said that some WhatsApp conversations allegedly discussing drugs are on the agency’s radar.
Some of these talks were allegedly between Deepika’s manager, Karishma Prakash, and a “D”, they said. The official said the NCB could also summon actors Rakul Preet Singh and Sara Ali Khan, and designer Simone Khambatta this week.
KPS Malhotra, deputy director of NCB, confirmed that the executive director of the talent management agency KWAN, Dhurv Chitgopekar, has been called in to join the ongoing investigation. Dhruv arrived at the Bombay Port Trust (BPT) boarding house, where the OCN officials are, around 2 p.m. Sushant Singh Rajput’s Talent Manager Jaya Saha also came to the guesthouse to join the investigation.
However, Malhotra denied that a subpoena had been sent to the KWAN employee and Deepika Padukone’s manager, Karishma Prakash. “No subpoena has been issued to Karishma. But we will send him a summons later this week, ”Malhotra said.
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“The NCB will first question Karishma Prakash and may summon actor Deepika Padukone if necessary,” the official said.
During the NCB investigation into the drugs angle in the death case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, a broader drug nexus emerged in Bollywood. Sushant’s director of talent, Jaya Saha, was questioned by the NCB on Monday.
So far, the NCB has arrested more than 12 people, including Sushant’s girlfriend and actress, Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty, in connection with the investigation into the angle of drugs in the case of the actor’s death.
Sushant (34) was found dead at his home in Bandra on June 14.
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