Exclusive: Dipesh Sawant tells NCB that Sushant Singh Rajput took drugs since he met him in 2018

Written By Ankur Tyagi | Updated: Sep 06, 2020, 08:28 AM IST

Exclusive: Dipesh Sawant tells NCB SSR took drugs since 2018. Photo: File Photo.

Sushant Singh Rajput's staff member Dipesh Sawant, arrested by the NCB, told them that the actor was taking drugs since 2018

The Narcotics Control Bureau have arrested Sushant Singh Rajput's personal staff Dipesh Sawant in drug conspiracy case which is linked to the Bollywood actor's death. Dipesh was arrested on Saturday, after court ordered Showik Chakraborty and Samuel Miranda to be kept under four-day custody with the NCB.

"Dipesh Sawant has been arrested by NCB for his role in procuring and handling of drugs. He has been arrested based on statements and digital evidence. He will be produced before court tomorrow at 11 am. Cross-examination of arrested people underway,'' Deputy Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, had told ANI.

Now DNA has got its hands at Dipesh's statement with the NCB. In his statement, Dipesh says that he came in contact with Sushant in September 2018, and started living with the actor after being told to do so. Dipesh also stated that he found Sushant taking drugs just two-three days after him working for the actor.

Dipesh said that Sushant was introduced to weed by a boy named Karan. Stating that he never brought drugs, Dipesh said that he was asked to work for free, fired and later in January 2020, he received a call from SSR. Dipesh said that Sushant wanted to quit acting and shift to Lonavala, and wanted them to work together again. He said that Sushant called from his cook's phone.

Here's his detailed statement:

On being asked I informed you that after leaving my education I have started working in a toy shop. Later I started working as an intern assistant director in a show `Life Lafde Bandiyaan' for Bindass channeL Later I worked in several other shows (Kalyug, SSh Phir Koi Hai, Anjaan). While I was working on Anjaan due to sudden demise of my father Uttam Sawant, I quit working and I was at home for few months. In Sept 2018, I came in contact with Sushant Singh Rajput (Actor Bollywood) through one of my knowing Rishikesh Pawar.

At that period of time Sushant sir was residing at Little heights apartment I met Sushant sir and started working with him on his Dream Project, where he had listed down his 50 dreams and wanted to shoot while achieving those dreams. I used to come do my work as said and I use to leave for my home. Afterwards Kushal Zaveri who was Director/Manager of Sushant sir at that time asked me to reside with Sushant sir in his apartment. So I started living and working with him.

Kushal Zaveri, Abbas Khaloot Ashok bhai(cook) Siddharth Gupta, Samuel Hoakip, Keshav Basnet, Sanjay Mahto were also living along with me in that house. Later I started carrying out work as instructed by Kushal Zaveri and Sushant sir. We started shooting Sushant sues personal video content which he used to post it on social media platform Instagram. I was promised to pay salary, but in the second month I was told I will not be paid and said it will be free for all from now on. I received bonus of Rs. 1,00,000/- in Diwall 2018. 

In January 2019 I feel he started becoming aggressive. In February his sister (Priyanka Singh) and brother in law (Siddharth Tanwar) had come and started looking over his management work. In the month of April 2019, his staff Pankaj (boy), jitu (Asst boy) Rajat (Accountant) Abbas (Editor) was removed. I was scared with the circumstances which had taken place, for that reason I quit the job of Sushant sir in April 2019.

On being asked I inform you that after two three days of my joining in the month of September 2018, I saw him to smoke weed/ganja and charas. One day I asked Ashok bhai (cook) if Sushant sir also smokes weed and he said yes and told that Karan, I don't know his full name was first time serve Ganja and charas to Sushant sir.

During that period Abbas Khalooi was preparing Ganja or charas for Sushant Sir and also smoke with him and Kushal sir. During that period I never brought Ganja for Sushant Sir, but one of my colleague Rishikesh Pawar used to bring Ganja for Sushant sir. On being asked I inform you that in the month of January 2020 I received a call from Sushant sir through keshav(cook) number and he called me to meet him at his Bandra residence, Mount Blanc.

The time when I met him he was very low and was saying that he is going to quit acting and shift to Pawana, Lonavala. And he asked me to rejoin him. And I started working with him on the same day on January 18, 2020. On being asked I inform you that I can't provide you the mobile number of the above persons because of my personal Mobile phone has been seized by CBI for Sushant Singh Raiput Case.