SSR case: NCB issues summons to Deepika, Shraddha, Sara, Rakul

In a major development, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has issued summons to Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, Shraddha Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh for questioning in a drug-related case. While NCB asked Deepika to appear before the agency on Friday, it summoned Shraddha and Sara on Saturday.

Mumbai: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which is probing an alleged Bollywood-drugs nexus, has summoned four Bollywood stars including Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and Rakul Preet Singh for questioning, an official said on Wednesday.

The NCB, which began the probe after a drugs angle came to light in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput's alleged suicide, has now widened its investigation and asked these 'A-list' celebrities to "join the probe," he said.

According to the official, the names of the celebrities came up during the interrogation of the allegedly involved persons, who were questioned earlier in the case.

While Deepika has been asked to record her statement on Friday (September 25), Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan have been summoned on September 26.

• Deepika Padukone has been summoned on September 25 while Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan have been summoned on September 26. https://t.co/uPARX6Setw

  — ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Deepika Padukone has been summoned on September 25 while Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan have been summoned on September 26. https://t.co/uPARX6Setw

  — ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2020

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  Deepika Padukone has been summoned on September 25 while Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan have been summoned on September 26. https://t.co/uPARX6Setw

  — ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2020

Jaya Saha, a talent manager who was questioned in the case, gave some important information, the NCB official said.

Earlier, Padukone's manager Karishma Prakash was summoned to join the investigation, but she sought time due to ill health, he said, adding she was exempted from appearance till Friday.

Prakash's WhatsApp chats included conversations about drugs with one 'D', NCB sources said, adding that the agency wanted to find out who this person was.

The NCB has already arrested actor Rhea Chakraborty for alleged procurement and use of drugs.

On Wednesday, film producer Madhu Mantena arrived at the NCB guest house here to record his statement.

With inputs from PTI