Sushant Singh Rajput

Sushant's death prompted an investigation by Mumbai police, followed by a CBI investigation after his family's FIR and a Supreme Court decision. After several years, the CBI filed closure reports in 2025 concluding that there was no foul play.

State of the evidence

Forensic and CBI investigations documented

Attribution

Sushant is the deceased person, not the perpetrator of wrongdoing

After his death, a vast online mobilisation spread numerous unverified theories, notably claims of murder, and politicised the case during the election period in Bihar. Academic research documented the algorithmic and political amplification of these narratives.

State of the evidence

Academic analyses and judicial coverage documented

Attribution

No wrongdoing attributed to Sushant

Sushant's father sued the creators and producers of several projects inspired by the actor's life and death, seeking, among other things, to prohibit Nyay: The Justice and challenging the use of his name, image and story without family authorisation.

State of the evidence

Delhi High Court proceedings documented

Attribution

No wrongdoing by Rajput; controversy over the posthumous commercial exploitation of his image

In its proposed charges against 35 people, the NCB claimed that several accused had arranged regular deliveries of cannabis and other narcotics intended for Sushant since 2018 and had encouraged what the agency described as extreme dependence.

State of the evidence

NCB proposed charges documented; allegations not adjudicated against Rajput

Attribution

Drug use alleged posthumously, without the possibility of adversarial proceedings against him

Sushant had signed with YRF and was due to star in Paani. The project was cancelled following creative differences between Aditya Chopra and Shekhar Kapur. After the actor's death, some presented this episode as evidence that he had been deprived of major opportunities.

State of the evidence

Contracts, questioning of YRF executives and conflicting accounts documented

Attribution

Sushant as the party affected by a professional dispute that became symbolic of the debate on nepotism

During the filming of Kizie Aur Manny, articles alleged that Sushant had made Sanjana Sanghi uncomfortable. He denied the allegations and published message exchanges in support of his account.

State of the evidence

Rumours documented, followed by a direct denial from the person presented as the victim

Attribution

Unsubstantiated personal allegation

Kedarnath, in which Sushant plays a Muslim porter who falls in love with a Hindu woman, was denounced by BJP officials and religious groups as promoting "love jihad", prompting calls for a ban in Uttarakhand.

State of the evidence

Political controversy surrounding the film documented

Attribution

Lead actor at the centre of a controversy over representation

Following violence against the Padmaavat team by Rajput groups, Sushant publicly supported the filmmakers and temporarily removed "Rajput" from his Twitter name in protest.

State of the evidence

Public statement documented

Attribution

Personal responsibility for taking a public position