The Narcotics Control Burea (NCB), in an argument opposed to actor Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik’s bail pleas, submitted at the Bombay High Court, said that they are active members of a drug syndicate, PTI reported. The anti-drugs bureau had arrested the siblings in a drugs case related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.

The siblings were “active members of a drug syndicate that was connected with high society personalities and drug suppliers”, the NCB said in an affidavit filed before the HC on Monday.

The NCB further said both Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik had “abetted and financed” drug transactions.

Therefore, the agency had booked them under the stringent section 27A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, it said in the affidavit. Rhea and Showik had opposed the application of the section in the case.

Section 27A provides punishment for up to 10 years for financing drug trafficking and harbouring offenders, and also carries a bar on grant of bail.

Their lawyer Satish Maneshinde had said that the section did not apply to the case as Rhea only occasionally paid for the rugs consumed by Sushant, her boyfriend.

He also suggested that the drugs seized by the NCB so far in the case amounted to just 59 grams, which was not a commercial quantity.

NCB’s zonal director Sameer Wankhede on Monday submitted two separate affidavits in the high court wherein it said, “Electronic evidence such as WhatsApp chats, records were retrieved from mobile, laptop and hard-disk and it indicated payment made for drugs.” “Thus, there is ample evidence to show present applicant Rhea has not only regularly dealt with but also financed illicit trafficking of drugs,” the NCB said.

The NCB further said in the affidavit that Rhea Chakraborty was aware of the fact that Rajput was into consumption of drugs, and yet she had “harboured and concealed” it.

“This would tantamount to harbouring. Rhea also allowed her residence for drug storage and consumption by Rajput,” the affidavit said.

“It is clear from the statements and electronic evidence gathered by the NCB that the applicant is an active member of the drug syndicate connected with high society personalities and drug suppliers. There is sufficient evidence that she is involved in drug trafficking,” it said.

It also said that Rhea Chakraborty and her brother used to facilitate drug deliveries and payment through credit cards, cash and other payment gateways.

If the siblings are released on bail, they could hamper the probe that is currently in a “crucial stage”, the NCB said.

The high court will hear the bail pleas of the actress and her brother along with the bail pleas of co-accused Samuel Miranda, Abdul Parihar and Dipesh Sawant on Tuesday.

Rajput, 34, was found hanging in his home in suburban Bandra on June 14.