Sushant Singh Rajput suicide case: Mahesh Bhatt to record his statement
Mumbai: Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt will record his statement with the Mumbai Police in the next couple of days in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide case, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Sunday.
Besides him, producer-director Karan Johar's manager has been called to record the statement and if needed, Johar himself will be asked to do so, the minister said.
"Mahesh Bhatt will record his statement in a day or two," Deshmukh told reporters.
The police are investigating allegations that professional rivalry, besides clinical depression, drove the actor to suicide.
"Summons have also been sent to actor Kangana Ranaut, asking her to record her statement," the minister said.
After Rajput's suicide at his apartment in Mumbai last month, Ranaut had lashed out at nepotism and cartels in Bollywood, alleging that he was its victim.
According to police, Ranaut is currently in Manali.
Deshmukh said that police have so far recorded statements of 37 people in connection with the case.
They include director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, filmmaker, and Yash Raj Films (YRF) chairman Aditya Chopra and film critic Rajeev Masand.
The "Chhichore" actor, 34, was found hanging at his apartment in Mumbai on June 14.
Rajput starred in films such as "Shuddh Desi Romance", "Raabta", "Kedarnath" and "Sonchiriya". But his most prominent role came as cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the biopic- "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story".
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No contract was signed with Muzarabani for PSL stint, but verbal agreement was reached: PCB
Karachi (PTI): The Pakistan Cricket Board admitted that no contract was ever sent to Blessing Muzarabani to play in the PSL but insisted that a firm verbal agreement was reached with the Zimbabwe pacer and he had breached the trust while joining the Indian Premier League.
The PCB recently imposed a two-year ban on Muzarabani from playing in the PSL claiming he breached a contract with Islamabad United and joined IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders.
The fast bowler’s agent, Rob Humphries tore into the PCB on Sunday in a social media post for the ban and claimed his client neither took part in the PSL players auction nor signed any contract with Islamabad United.
Humphries said the ban was excessive and unjustified.
But sources in the PCB while conceding no contract was signed with Rabbani claimed that a clear verbal agreement between both the parties was reached.
The source said this was also clear in the PCB announcement about the ban that despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement.
The PCB source said once essential terms — including remuneration and structure — are agreed upon through written correspondence, a binding obligation is formed.
But Humphries said after talks began with Islamabad United they had made it clear that unless they had a contract they couldn’t apply for an NOC from the Zimbabwe Cricket.
“We've remained quiet publicly over the last six weeks because we did not wish to create or cause anymore animosity for the Pakistan Super League/Pakistan Cricket Board than they had already created for themselves,” Humphries’ statement said.
"[On] 13 February, Blessing [was] approached by Islamabad United about a playing opportunity for the 2026 PSL. The deal [was] agreed subject to obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Zimbabwe Cricket.
“An NOC cannot be obtained without a contract from the PSL. Islamabad United/PSL announced the signing to the world via social media,” it said.
Humphries further urged the PCB to gracefully withdraw the ban and accept this situation risen out of an administrative error at their end.
Muzarabani was taken by Islamabad as a replacement for West Indian pacer Shamar Joseph for USD 40,000.
