The Sushant Singh Rajput Case: A Travesty of Media Justice
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has finally concluded its probe into the tragic death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, ruling out any foul play and determining that he died by suicide. This brings an end to a case that gripped the nation, not only due to the circumstances surrounding the actor’s death but also because of the media spectacle that followed. While the investigation may have reached its legal conclusion, the damage done by certain sections of the Indian media, particularly in their treatment of Rhea Chakraborty, remains a stain on the ethics of journalism.
The Unjust Persecution of Rhea Chakraborty
In the wake of Rajput’s passing in June 2020, his girlfriend, actress Rhea Chakraborty, found herself at the centre of an aggressive and deeply unfair media trial. With little to no verified evidence, she was accused of financial misconduct, mental harassment, and even abetment of suicide. The intensity of this persecution was so severe that it led to her arrest by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) over alleged drug-related charges—allegations that were later significantly watered down. The Bombay High Court, in granting her bail, categorically stated that she was not involved in any drug syndicate, exposing the flimsy nature of the claims against her.
The Role of the ‘Godi Media’
During this period, many mainstream news channels abandoned journalistic integrity in favour of sensationalism, demonising Chakraborty with baseless accusations. What should have been a responsible discourse about mental health, nepotism in Bollywood, or even the need for a fair investigation into Rajput’s death quickly descended into a witch-hunt against an individual who had lost a loved one.
The term ‘Godi media’—a phrase used to describe news outlets that serve political and corporate interests rather than the truth—became even more relevant in this case. Instead of waiting for investigative agencies to do their job, television anchors turned prime-time debates into a theatre of absurdity, spouting conspiracy theories and inciting public outrage against Chakraborty. Reporters hounded her outside her residence, camera crews chased her down the streets, and prime-time news bulletins aired exaggerated and often misleading narratives to fuel public anger.
The Supreme Court’s Rebuke and the Need for Accountability
The miscarriage of justice did not go unnoticed. The Supreme Court of India recently dismissed a plea filed by the CBI against Chakraborty, calling it ‘frivolous’ and questioning why such a case was being pursued in the first place. The bench even suggested that the petition was filed solely because the accused was a high-profile individual. This judicial rebuke was a rare but necessary moment of clarity, highlighting how far certain factions of the media and investigative agencies had strayed from principles of fairness.
The larger issue at hand is the question of accountability. Who holds the media responsible when it engages in blatant character assassination? While the press is an essential pillar of democracy, it must function within ethical boundaries. The reckless trial-by-media that Rhea Chakraborty endured is a chilling reminder of what happens when journalism ceases to be about facts and becomes an instrument of persecution. The need for stricter media regulations and self-regulatory mechanisms has never been more urgent.
A Lesson for the Future
As the dust settles on this case, it is important to reflect on the implications of what transpired. If the media can vilify and destroy the reputation of a public figure without evidence, what stops them from doing the same to an ordinary citizen? The erosion of responsible journalism is a threat to everyone.
The CBI’s closure of the case should serve as a wake-up call—not just for news agencies but also for viewers, who must learn to differentiate between credible reporting and manufactured outrage. The damage done to Rhea Chakraborty’s life and career cannot be undone, but the least that can be done is to ensure that such injustices do not occur in the future.
At its core, journalism should serve the pursuit of truth, not the hunger for higher ratings. It is time for India’s media landscape to reclaim its lost credibility before another innocent individual is sacrificed at the altar of TRP-driven hysteria.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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