The special court has directed the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to return the passport of Kshitij Prasad, an executive producer accused in the drugs case related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. The court observed that the NCB did not follow the proper procedure to retain the passport and stated that the power to impound the passport lies with the passport authority.
Prasad had filed an application seeking the return of his passport, which was seized by the NCB during his arrest in 2020. The court noted that Prasad, who is out on bail, had cooperated with the investigating officer during the probe. The NCB opposed the plea, expressing concerns that Prasad might flee, but the court disagreed, stating that conditions could be imposed to address apprehensions. The court directed Prasad to inform the NCB of his travel details if he goes abroad, and if the need arises for the passport, he should hand it over to the NCB. Over 30 individuals, including Prasad, were arrested by the NCB in connection with the drugs case following Rajput’s death.
Prasad has sought discharge from the case, and the court had previously highlighted procedural lapses in the seizure of bank accounts related to two other accused in a separate order in 2022.