How a media frenzy turned a private tragedy into a national public trial
In short: Following the 2020 death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, actress Rhea Chakraborty became the target of an intense, prolonged campaign by Indian media outlets. This case study in trial by media highlights the intersection of digital harassment, sensationalist journalism, and deep-seated societal biases that can derail the administration of justice.
Rhea Chakraborty, an Indian actress and former VJ, found herself at the center of a massive controversy after the death of her partner, Sushant Singh Rajput, in June 2020. Rajput's family filed a report alleging abetment of suicide and other crimes, leading to investigations by the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Narcotics Control Bureau. By September 2020, Chakraborty was arrested on drug-related charges, though she was granted bail the following month. In March 2025, the CBI officially filed a closure report, concluding that Rajput's death was a suicide and clearing Chakraborty and her family of any involvement.
During the investigation, Chakraborty was subjected to what legal experts and observers described as a vicious trial by media. High-profile television anchors and social media users labeled her a murderer, accused her of practicing black magic, and subjected her to misogynistic abuse. The Press Council of India eventually condemned this coverage, noting that many outlets violated journalistic norms by conducting parallel trials that induced public belief in her guilt. Academic research from the University of Michigan later characterized the campaign as a manifestation of persistent patriarchal structures, noting that media houses were complicit in pushing an agenda against her.
The intensity of the coverage was unprecedented, with some outlets dedicating more airtime to the case than to the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As noted by the Bombay High Court, Chakraborty had no criminal history, and the court found no evidence that she was part of a drug-dealing chain. Despite this, the relentless speculation and harassment forced her to seek police protection against threats of violence. The case remains a stark reminder of how sensationalism can override the presumption of innocence in the digital age, turning a personal tragedy into a public spectacle.
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