Bollywood star Deepika Padukone summoned by police in drugs probe

The death of actor Sushant Singh has sparked a media storm with some calling for wider probe into ‘drugs mafia’.

 

Bollywood actress and producer Deepika Padukone looks on as she attends the trailer launch of her upcoming Hindi film ''Chhapaak'' directed by Meghna Gulzar, in Mumbai on December 10, 2019. Sujit Jaiswa
Padukone, who has shared her own experience of living with depression, has spoken against stigma associated with the illness

Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has been summoned for questioning as part of an escalating drugs probe into the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Indian police said late on Wednesday.

The investigation has already seen actress Rhea Chakraborty arrested for allegedly buying drugs for her former boyfriend Rajput, who was found dead in June in his Mumbai apartment – with police saying he took his own life.

A star with many hit movies to his name, the 34-year-old’s death initially triggered a debate over mental health in the multi-billion-dollar industry.

Padukone, who has shared her own experience of living with depression, has spoken against stigma associated with the illness.

But Rajput’s family disputed reports that he suffered from depression and accused Chakraborty, 28, of stealing his money and harassing him. She has strongly denied the allegations.

Rajput’s death has sparked a media storm in India, where calls have mounted for a wider probe into Bollywood’s so-called “drugs mafia”, with television channels speculating that Chakraborty supposedly drove Rajput to suicide by purchasing cannabis for him.

Padukone appeared before the NCB and was questioned about her alleged involvement. As of now, there have been no official charges filed against her in relation to this case.