Sushant Singh Rajput’s 5th Death Anniversary: Unraveling the mystery of the late actor's case

Almost five years after Sushant Singh Rajput's tragic passing, the CBI officially closed the case earlier this year, determining no foul play was involved. His death on June 14, 2020, sparked national grief, leading to extensive investigations and intense public scrutiny. Let's review the key developments and the current status of the case.

About Sushant

Sushant Singh Rajput, born on January 21, 1986, in Patna, Bihar, India, came from a middle-class Rajput family. His father, Krishna Kumar Singh, was a civil servant. The actor's mother passed away in 2002 when he was 16, an event that deeply affected him. Following this loss, the family of five relocated to their aunt's home in Delhi.

From a young age, Sushant Singh Rajput displayed a keen interest in science and astronomy, excelling academically. He completed his schooling at St. Karen’s High School in Patna and Kulachi Hansraj Model School in Delhi. A national-level Physics Olympiad winner, he qualified for over 11 engineering entrance exams, including ISM Dhanbad, but chose to study Mechanical Engineering at Delhi College of Engineering (now DTU).

Despite his academic success, Sushant's passion for dance and acting led him to drop out of college in his third year to pursue performing arts. He began training with Shiamak Davar's dance company, which led him to Barry John's acting classes, marking the true beginning of his career in stage, screen, and television.

About Sushant’s death

On June 14, 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput was discovered deceased at his Bandra residence in Mumbai; he was 34 years old. The post-mortem, conducted at Mumbai's Cooper Hospital, attributed the cause of death to "asphyxia due to hanging." The report further indicated no evidence of a struggle or external injuries.

The Mumbai Police initially investigated the case. However, the situation intensified when Rajput's father, K.K. Singh, filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the Bihar Police. He accused the late actor's then-girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, and her family of abetting suicide and financial fraud, alleging a loss of Rs 15 crore.

What CBI got in investigation?

Following the transfer of the case, the CBI established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Rajput's death. The agency explored various aspects, including potential professional conflicts, financial dealings, and the possibility of abetment to suicide.

“After an extensive investigation that involved gathering forensic evidence, technical data from the US, medical opinions and questioning of all persons connected, we haven’t found any foul play in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput," a senior CBI officer was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times in March 2025.

During a public interest hearing on February 19, 2025, at the Bombay High Court, Sushant's father, K.K. Singh, voiced his disappointment with the CBI's delayed investigation, despite expecting a swift resolution. He expressed his hope that the court would bring justice and uncover the truth.

Rhea Chakraborty’s counter case

In September 2020, Rhea Chakraborty filed a counter case against Rajput's sister, Priyanka Singh, and a Delhi-based doctor, following the FIR filed by Rajput's family. Chakraborty alleged that a forged medical prescription for psychiatric drugs had been obtained for Rajput without proper consultation. After investigating both cases, the CBI concluded that there was no criminal conspiracy or evidence of forged documentation.

Latest findings

Even though the CBI concluded its investigation, public interest in Rajput's case persists. His death ignited a national conversation about mental health, nepotism, and the pressures of fame. Though the legal proceedings have ended, discussions about his life and death continue to influence narratives within Bollywood and the broader public sphere.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s sister remembers him on his 5th death anniversary

Marking the fifth anniversary of Sushant Singh Rajput's passing, Shweta Singh Kirti shared a moving video on Instagram, offering a glimpse into her enduring grief and love for her brother. Beyond the personal reflection, the video served as a call to action, urging fans to honor Sushant's memory by embracing positivity and celebrating his legacy, rather than perpetuating negativity.

In the caption of her post, Shweta also wrote and reflected on what she said in the video. “Today is Bhai 5th Death Anniversary, a lot has happened since his death on 14th June 2020. Now CBI has submitted a report to the court and we are in a process of retrieving it. But what I want to say today is no matter what happens, don’t loose heart and don’t loose faith on god or in goodness. Always remember what our Sushant stood for… purity, an unquenchable zeal for life and learning, a heart full of love which believed in treating everyone equally and doing charity. His smile and his eyes had this child like innocence which could stir anyone’s heart with overflowing love. That’s what our Sushant stood for. That’s what we have to stand for,’ she wrote.