More than six years after Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, the case continues to remain in the spotlight. Surjeet Singh Rathod, president of Karni Sena Mumbai, recently visited Jaipur to cast his vote in the civic elections.
In an interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Rathod spoke about his claims regarding Rajput’s death, what he allegedly noticed while seeing the actor’s body at Cooper Hospital’s mortuary, the alleged connection with Disha Salian and his demand for further investigation.
Rathod claims that while viewing Sushant’s body, he noticed certain things that raised questions in his mind. He said he had also complained to the police and concerned officials at the time, but his statement was not recorded.
He now plans to approach the Maharashtra Human Rights Commission and seek a fresh investigation.
‘Rhea said just one word after seeing Sushant’s body’
Rathod said that when Rhea saw Sushant Singh Rajput’s body at the mortuary, she uttered just one word: “Sorry, Babu.”
Karni Sena Mumbai president Surjeet Singh Rathod said, “I had questions in my mind after seeing Sushant’s body.”
Question: Why are you raising the Sushant Singh Rajput case after six years?
Surjeet Singh Rathod: For me, this is not just a case. When a family feels that it has not received justice, it is important to raise its voice. I reached Cooper Hospital on June 15, 2020. What I saw there raised several questions in my mind.
I spoke about it at the time, and I stand by what I said even today. My point is that if someone has raised serious concerns, their statement should at least be recorded. My statement was never recorded. Even today, I want my account to be heard and the facts to be examined again.
I reached Cooper Hospital on June 15, 2020. Producer Sandeep Singh from Dhoni Entertainment also arrived there. Around the same time, Rhea Chakraborty came and expressed her wish to see Sushant for the last time.
After taking permission from the mortuary staff, Rhea and I went inside. Sushant’s body was taken out of the deep freezer. I removed the cloth covering his face. At that moment, Rhea said just one word: “Sorry, Babu.”
I was surprised and wondered why she had said that. A question came to my mind: what was she apologising for? However, that could have been her personal emotion, and I cannot say with certainty what she meant. That thought did cross my mind at the time.
When we came out of the mortuary, Rhea’s mother, father and brother wanted to go inside, but the mortuary staff did not allow them to enter. They then left the hospital.
Later, through a television channel, it was stated on Rhea’s behalf that she had not seen Sushant inside the mortuary. My point is that I went inside with her, so this has raised a question in my mind.
Question: You have also raised questions about the Maharashtra Human Rights Commission. Why have you written to it again?
Surjeet Singh Rathod: I have sent a letter and an email to the current chairperson of the Maharashtra Human Rights Commission, putting forward my concerns again.
I want my statement to be recorded and the basis on which Cooper Hospital and Rhea Chakraborty were given a clean chit at the time to be examined.
My only question is, if I was claiming to be an eyewitness to the incident, why was my statement not recorded? At the very least, I should have been called and asked what I had seen.
Question: You also speak of a connection between the deaths of Sushant and Disha Salian. What is the basis for your claim?
Surjeet Singh Rathod: I believe the links between the two incidents should also be brought within the scope of the investigation. Sushant and Disha were friends. Sushant knew about certain things related to Disha and was upset about them.
My claim is that Disha was troubled by Aditya Thackeray, Sooraj Pancholi and Dino Morea, and that Sushant was also upset with all of them. I claim that Sushant had told some people that he intended to raise the matter.
I believe any factual links between the two cases should be investigated impartially. I want the investigating agency to place all the facts before the public and establish the truth.
I have previously raised questions about the role of certain people, but the final conclusion should be drawn by the investigating agency.
If there was a conspiracy, it should be established, and if there was not, it should also be made clear what the answers are to all the questions surrounding Sushant’s death.
Surjeet Singh Rathod said, “I did not have any close personal friendship with Sushant.”
Question: How many times did you meet Sushant personally?
Surjeet Singh Rathod: I want to make it clear that I did not have any close personal friendship with Sushant. We met once or twice at film premieres and other events in Mumbai. We also spoke over the phone about a project.
When the movement over the film Padmaavat was taking place in Rajasthan, Sushant had made some statements about the Rajput community. Later, he also removed his surname from his name.
At the time, I called him and told him to focus on his work and that he did not need to worry about the matter. He told me that he was part of the film industry and that sometimes people in the industry have to understand certain things.
Question: You are also preparing to make a film on Sushant Singh Rajput. Why did you decide to do this?
Surjeet Singh Rathod: Yes, we are preparing to make a film on Sushant. We are currently working on the story. My objective is not to make money from this film.
I want to bring to people through cinema the questions that were raised in the entire case, the incidents that came to light, and what I saw or came to know. We do not want to rush the project.
If we are making a film based on real events, every fact must be presented responsibly. That is why considerable work is being done on the screenplay. I want to show the people who came into Sushant’s life, the events that took place around him and what unfolded after his death.
