Mumbai/IBNS: Indian industrialist Harsh Goenka has slammed the extensive media coverage by Indian television that targeted actress Rhea Chakraborty, who has now been given a clean chit by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case.

In an X post, Goenka slammed the TV media coverage that went on for hours with debates on studios targeting Rhea, who was the girlfriend of the late Bollywood actor.

Goenkar, the RPG Enterprises chairman, says, "Nice job, Indian TV media. You hounded Rhea Chakraborty like a witch in a medieval trial—no evidence, no shame, just TRPs. Who needs facts when you have flashing graphics and angry panels? For me, journalism died that day !"

The CBI on Sunday submitted a closure report almost five years after Sushant was found hanging at his Bandra flat.

The probe agency has claimed the Rajput died by "suicide" dismissing multiple theories that kept on floating surrounding the 'Kai Po Che!' actor's death.

Rhea, who was under arrest for almost a month, has been absolved.

According to officials, the closure report is related to two cases—one based on allegations made by Rajput’s father against his then-girlfriend, actor Rhea Chakraborty, and another filed by Ms Chakraborty against Rajput’s family.

A forensic team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had also concluded that Rajput’s death was due to suicide and ruled out murder. 

Sushant, who made his Bollywood debut with 'Kai Po Che', left her fans shocked in 2020 when he was found hanging in his own flat.

With a section of film industry refusing to accept his death as a suicide suggesting a foul play, the investigation left big impacts in Bollywood over the next several months.

Rhea, who was the actor's girlfriend, and her brother Showik Chakraborty were arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which had procured online chats pertaining to drug consumption, procurement, usage and transportation in connection with the Sushant Singh Rajput death case.

The investigation had created far-fetching impacts with the NCB summoning top Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan in connection with the drug angle surrounding Sushant's death.

Sushant, who died at 34, is best remembered for his essaying of cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni on-screen in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.

A former popular television actor, Sushant got recognition in Bollywood with films Shuddh Desi Romance, PK, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!, Kedarnath, Chhichhore alongside Kai Po Che.

His last film Dil Bechara, a Hindi adaptation of an American film based on John Green's novel with the same title The Fault in Our Stars, was released after his death. Sushant had co-acted with young Sanjana Sanghi in the film.