‘Grossly unfair’: Death of Bollywood star sparks drugs crackdown where ‘only women are being targeted’

Sushant Singh Rajput’s death has been politicised, observers say, ahead of a key election. But the federal investigation that followed also speaks volumes about gender in Indian society, as Adam Withnall reports

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone arrives for questioning at the NCB offices in Mumbai (AFP/Getty)

When the promising young Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his home in Mumbai in June, India mourned a rising star who police said appeared to have taken his own life at the age of 34. 

Rajput’s death sparked a brief national conversation about mental health issues, before India appeared to have moved on – that is, until his family made a series of sensational claims against his girlfriend and fellow actor Rhea Chakraborty.

Accused by the family of providing cannabis to Rajput and ultimately abetting his suicide, Chakraborty was arrested in early September by the federal Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). She has denied any wrongdoing.