Nupur Prasad is a distinguished Indian Police Service (IPS) officer known for her sharp investigative skills, leadership, and dedication to justice. She was the key officer who investigated the high-profile suicide case of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, which captivated the nation in 2020. At the time, Nupur was serving as the Superintendent of Police (SP) with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She played a pivotal role as the Chief Investigating Officer (CIO) in the investigation, leading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the CBI to probe the mysterious circumstances surrounding Rajput’s death.
Early Life and Education
Nupur Prasad was born on April 2, 1983, in Salempur village, Tikari, Gaya district, Bihar. She hails from a middle-class family, with her father Indubhushan Prasad being a strong pillar of support in her academic pursuits. Nupur completed her early education at a private school in Bihar before graduating from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University. From a young age, she nurtured the dream of joining the police force, and her determination led her to clear the UPSC exam in 2007, marking the beginning of her distinguished career in law enforcement.
Career and Notable Investigations
Nupur Prasad is a 2007-batch IPS officer from the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories) cadre. She quickly established herself as a capable and dynamic officer, known for her composed leadership and meticulous investigative skills.
Before her involvement in the Sushant Singh Rajput case, she served in various important roles, including DCP of Shahdara in the Delhi Police. In 2019, she became SP in the CBI, where she handled several major investigations, earning a reputation as a “Supercop”. Among her high-profile cases were the Vijay Mallya financial scams and the AgustaWestland Scam, in which she played a key role in exposing corruption and extraditing the middleman Christian Michel from Dubai.
Role in the Sushant Singh Rajput Case
The tragic death of Sushant Singh Rajput on June 14, 2020, initially ruled as a suicide, sparked widespread controversy, with allegations of mishandling the investigation by the Mumbai Police. Following a request by Rajput’s father, KK Singh, the case was transferred to the CBI by the Supreme Court of India on August 19, 2020. The CBI formed an SIT to investigate the matter, with Nupur Prasad at the helm.
Under her leadership, the SIT was divided into three teams:
- Team 1: Collected crucial documents and forensic evidence, including crime scene photos, postmortem reports, and the Mumbai Police forensic report.
- Team 2: Interrogated key individuals, including Rhea Chakraborty (Sushant’s girlfriend), her family, and Sushant’s flatmate Siddharth Pithani.
- Team 3: Investigated possible professional rivalries and other angles that could explain the circumstances surrounding Rajput’s death.
Nupur’s approach during the investigation was calm, thorough, and methodical. She personally interrogated Rhea Chakraborty for several hours, handling the questioning with firmness and professionalism. When Rhea raised her voice in frustration, Nupur responded firmly yet calmly, saying, “If you are innocent, you have to prove it by cooperating with the investigation.” Her balanced yet strict interrogation style was widely admired, especially in handling sensitive cases and female suspects. The CBI has now officially submitted a closure report in the high-profile suicide case.
Current Position and Recognition
After leading the investigation into the Sushant Singh Rajput case, Nupur Prasad was promoted and is now serving as Joint Commissioner of Police (Joint CP) with the Delhi Police, where she continues to contribute to law enforcement with her exceptional skills and leadership.
Known for her unwavering commitment to justice, Nupur Prasad has earned widespread recognition for her work across several challenging cases. Her ability to maintain composure under pressure and lead complex investigations has solidified her reputation as one of the most capable and respected officers in the Indian Police Service.
