In a recent development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Bombay High Court that it is actively verifying actor Rhea Chakraborty’s association with a company. Chakraborty, who challenged a lookout circular issued against her by the CBI, seeks permission to travel abroad for a brand event. The court is currently assessing her eligibility based on her claimed role as the brand ambassador of a pet food company.
Chakraborty’s plea for a temporary suspension of the lookout circular emphasizes her commitment to professional obligations, citing the need to attend the company’s event in Dubai from December 27 to January 2. However, the CBI, represented by advocate Shreeram Shirsat, informed the bench that they are in the process of verifying Chakraborty’s claims about her association with the company.
The latest information received by the CBI suggests that Chakraborty is no longer the brand ambassador for the pet food brand. Actor Kiara Advani has reportedly taken over as the new face of the brand. Shirsat requested additional time to confirm this information.
Chakraborty’s counsel, Abhinav Chandrachud, urged the court to schedule the next hearing for December 22. However, the bench emphasized that it would not rush the proceedings and acknowledged the CBI’s need for time to verify the information. The court suggested that Chakraborty could approach the vacation bench on December 26 if necessary.
The lookout circular against Rhea Chakraborty, issued in August 2020 along with her brother Showik Chakraborty, is part of the ongoing investigation into the untimely demise of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The court had earlier temporarily suspended the circular against Showik, allowing him to travel abroad.
Chakraborty and her brother were arrested in 2020 by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with a drugs case related to Rajput but were subsequently granted bail. The court will continue to assess the situation and make decisions based on the ongoing investigation.