Sushant Singh Rajput was a popular and talented Bollywood actor who starred in several hit films such as Kai Po Che, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, and Chhichhore. He was also a passionate learner who had interests in astronomy, physics, and philosophy. His sudden and tragic death on June 14, 2020, shocked and saddened his fans, friends, and family. But what was the cause of his death? Was it a suicide or a murder? Here is what we know so far based on the available evidence and investigations.
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The Official Postmortem Report
According to the official postmortem report conducted by a team of three doctors at Cooper Hospital in Mumbai, the cause of death of Sushant Singh Rajput was asphyxia due to hanging. The report also stated that it was a “clear case of suicide” and that no foul play was found. The autopsy doctors placed the time of death at 10 to 12 hours before postmortem examination on June 14 at 11:30 p.m.—meaning between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (Indian Standard Time). The report added that no signs of struggle or resistance were observed on the body.
The CBI Investigation
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case from the Mumbai Police on August 19, 2020, after the Supreme Court ordered a fair and impartial probe into the matter. The CBI reconstructed the crime scene twice and reportedly reached the conclusion that Sushant Singh Rajput hanged himself. Their investigation also showed that there was no other person present in his bedroom at the time of his death. The CBI also conducted a forensic audit of his bank accounts and ruled out any financial angle or money laundering by his girlfriend, actor Rhea Chakraborty, who was accused by his family of abetting his suicide.
The AIIMS Report
The CBI sought the opinion of a panel of seven doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to examine the medical and forensic evidence related to Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. The AIIMS panel submitted its report to the CBI on September 29, 2020, and concurred with the findings of the Cooper Hospital doctors. The AIIMS report stated that Sushant Singh Rajput was not murdered and that there were no injuries or marks of struggle on his body. The report also ruled out any poisoning or sedation before his death.
The Mental Health Angle
One of the possible reasons for Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide could be his mental health issues. Several doctors who treated him at different points of time have confirmed that he was suffering from depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. His sister Priyanka had also sent him a prescription of medicines for anxiety through WhatsApp on June 6. Rhea Chakraborty, who lived with him from October 2019 to June 8, 2020, claimed that he had shown symptoms of mental illness during their Europe trip in October 2019 and that he had consulted several psychiatrists thereafter. She also alleged that he had stopped taking his medicines in the last few days before his death. Moreover, according to India Today, Sushant Singh Rajput had searched on Google topics such as “schizophrenia”, “bipolar disorder”, and “painless death” on the morning of June 14.
The Mystery Remains
Despite the medical and forensic evidence pointing towards suicide, many fans and celebrities have refused to accept this theory and have demanded justice for Sushant Singh Rajput. They have raised questions about the alleged lapses in the Mumbai Police investigation, the role of Bollywood’s nepotism and drug mafia, and the possibility of external pressure or influence on the case. Some have also claimed that Sushant Singh Rajput’s body had injury marks, bone fractures, and eyes punched, which indicate foul play. However, these claims have not been substantiated by any official source or document.
The CBI has not yet closed the case or filed a charge sheet. It has said that it is looking into all aspects of the case with due diligence and professionalism. It has also said that it is not ruling out any angle or hypothesis at this stage. Therefore, the mystery behind Sushant Singh Rajput’s cause of death remains unsolved as of now. We can only hope that the truth will come out soon and that he will get justice.
