[24] The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India's national drug law enforcement agency, arrested Chakraborty on 8 September, charging that she and her brother had caused marijuana to be supplied to Rajput.

"[28] On 27 August 2020, BBC News reported that in the wake of Rajput's death, Chakraborty had "found herself at the centre of a vicious hate campaign led by some of India's most high-profile journalists and social media trolls."

Subjected to gossip, innuendo, and misogynistic abuse, she was described by conservative television hosts as a "manipulative" woman who "performed black magic" and "drove Sushant to suicide."

After a purported fan of Rajput threatened her on Instagram with rape and murder and urged her to "commit suicide otherwise I will send people to kill you," Chakraborty sought help from the cybercrime police.

Supreme Court senior counsel Meenakshi Arora told the BBC that much of the press had already declared the actress guilty.

"[29] Three activists, arguing that trial by media poses "real and substantial risk of prejudice to the proper administration of justice," petitioned the Bombay High Court to restrict reportage that could hamper the investigation of this case due to sensationalisation.

In particular, during the first month following Rajput's death, news channel Republic TV "pushed insinuations on the finances of Rhea Chakraborty's parents."

Over time, the researchers recount, Rhea Chakraborty was slandered, hounded, and "intensely targeted by trolling and mainstream media speculation online."

"[35] Variety observed that since Rajput's death, "Indian media, fueled by aggressive television anchors, has worked itself into an unprecedented feeding frenzy."