SC closes all options for Mumbai Police to probe SSR death case

of CrPC and other applicable laws.

"No opinion is therefore expressed on a future contingency and the issue is left open to be decided, if needed, in accordance with the law," said Justice Roy.

The top court observed that the FIR filed in Patna was subsequently transferred to the CBI with the consent of the Bihar government during the pendency of Rhea Chakraborty's transfer petition seeking transfer of the case from Patna to Mumbai.

However, in future, if commission of cognizable offence under Section 175(2) of CrPC is determined, the possibility of parallel investigation by the Mumbai Police cannot be ruled out, the top court noted.

"Section 6 of the DSPE Act, 1946, read with Section 5 prescribe the requirement of consent from the state government, before entrustment of investigation to the CBI. As the CBI has already registered a case and commenced investigation at the instance of the Bihar government, uncertainty and confusion must be avoided in the event of Mumbai Police also deciding to simultaneously investigate the cognizable offence, based on their finding in the inquiry proceeding," said Justice Roy.

He added that therefore, it would be appropriate to decide at this stage itself as to who should conduct the investigation on all the attending circumstances relating to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput.

"This issue becomes relevant only if another FIR is registered on the same issue at Mumbai. A decision by this court on the point would confer legitimacy to the investigationa," Justice Roy added.

Invoking the powers conferred by Article 142 of the Constitution, the top court directed the CBI to investigate the new case as well.

( With inputs from IANS )