After four years of relentless public scrutiny, Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty has finally been vindicated in the tragic death of her boyfriend, actor Sushant Singh Rajput. India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has concluded Rajput died by suicide and found no evidence linking Chakraborty or her family to his passing—directly contradicting the explosive media narrative that painted her as a villain.
The Backstory
- In June 2020, Rajput, a rising Bollywood star, was found dead in his Mumbai apartment.
- Chakraborty, his girlfriend at the time, became the target of a vicious media campaign, accused of theft, black magic, and even murder.
- She was arrested, jailed for 27 days, and subjected to relentless online abuse—including death threats and slut-shaming.
The Truth Comes Out
The CBI’s findings confirm what Mumbai police initially stated: Rajput struggled with mental health issues and took his own life. Chakraborty’s lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, called the media frenzy “a false narrative” that destroyed an innocent woman’s reputation.
A Culture of Trial by Media
- TV channels ran sensationalized coverage, with anchors labeling Chakraborty a “druggie” and “witch.”
- Social media trolls amplified the hate, costing her acting roles and subjecting her family to harassment.
- Now, many—including fellow Bollywood stars—are demanding accountability from the media.
What’s Next?
Chakraborty, who has since rebuilt her life as a businesswoman and podcaster, has not yet commented on the CBI’s findings. Legal experts say pursuing defamation cases in India’s slow justice system may not be worth the effort. Still, the case raises urgent questions about media ethics and the dangers of trial by public opinion.
“Truth alone prevails,” her brother posted—a quiet but powerful statement after years of suffering.
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