NCB File Charge Sheet Against Rhea Chakraborty, 32 Others In Drug Case Connected To SSR

A large part of the charge sheet was submitted by the central agency in electronic form owning to ecological concerns.

The charge sheet has been filed against actor Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, Agisilaos Demetriades (brother of Arjun Rampal's partner Gabriella Demetriades) and former Dharma Productions employee, Kshitij Prasad, along with 28 others.

Of the 33 accused, eight are still in custody. Chakraborty, arrested on September 7, is accused of procuring drugs for the late actor. The NCB had also accused her of being part of a drug syndicate.

"She is not part of drug dealers. She has not forwarded the drugs allegedly procured by her to somebody else to earn monetary or other benefits", Justice Sarang Kotwal had observed while granting bail to Chakraborty a month later.

The charge sheet includes the statements of approximately 200 witnesses. The agency says, it has relied heavily on the seizure of narcotics (Charas, Ganja, LSD, Ecstacy) and psychotropic substances (Alprazolam and Clonazepam) covered under the provisions of section 20(b), 22, 23 of NDPS Act from the accused, voluntary disclosure statements and technical evidence i.e connectivity through Call details, WhatsApp Chats and details of bank accounts/financial transactions.

"During investigation, several seizures of various narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances, electronic gadgets and Indian as well as foreign currency were affected. The technical gadgets and the mobile phones were analysed and the relevant incriminating evidence regarding the sale, purchase, procurement, consumption and possession of narcotics drugs were extracted. Drugs seized were sent for chemical examination, "the agency has said.

The accused have been charged for offences under sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii), 22, 27A, 28, 29 and 30 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Section 27A of the Act relates to the offence of "financing illicit trade" and "harbouring" of a person engaged in such trade. This is a serious offence, punishable with a minimum of ten years imprisonment.

The NCB, on Friday, made it clear that they were further investigating the case.