IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.
The 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations into financial and economic crimes, a report in news agency PTI said.
Prasad is among the police personnel recognised this year for distinguished and meritorious service. The medal acknowledges contributions across areas including investigation, crime prevention, law and order, administration.
Served as first DCP of Shahdara
Deep Dive
What recognition did Nupur Prasad receive for her service in the police force?
What was Nupur Prasad's role in the investigation of Sushant Singh Rajput's death?
Why is Nupur Prasad's work significant in the context of police investigations?
She was the first DCP of Shahdara district, where she worked against drug networks and gambling operations. She is also known for overseeing security arrangements for Delhi University elections and Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.
Over the course of her career, Prasad has served in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal, handling several sensitive assignments and complex investigations.
During her CBI tenure, Prasad supervised several high-profile investigations and was also involved in institutional policing initiatives.
Role in Sushant Singh Rajput case
Prasad came into the national spotlight after being assigned to the CBI team investigating the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence in Bandra on June 14, 2020.
The CBI took over the case in August 2020 after the actor’s family filed a complaint and a dispute arose over jurisdiction. The agency registered an FIR against actor Rhea Chakraborty, Rajput’s former girlfriend, and others after the Centre accepted the Bihar government’s recommendation to transfer the probe from Patna.
{{/usCountry}}The CBI took over the case in August 2020 after the actor’s family filed a complaint and a dispute arose over jurisdiction. The agency registered an FIR against actor Rhea Chakraborty, Rajput’s former girlfriend, and others after the Centre accepted the Bihar government’s recommendation to transfer the probe from Patna.
{{/usCountry}}As SP, Prasad led the CBI’s special team and supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.
In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports after concluding that its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in Rajput’s death.
Married to police officer
Prasad is married to a fellow police officer, which she has described as an advantage, saying they understand the “rigours of the job”. In a 2019 media interview, she said having a spouse from the same profession helped them better understand the demands and challenges of police service.
She has now returned to the Delhi Police as Joint CP of the EOW, where she is responsible for investigations involving financial and economic offences.