Nearly five years after the tragic death of Disha Salian, a fresh plea filed by her father, Satish Salian, has brought the case back into the spotlight, sparking a political row in Maharashtra. Mr. Salian has approached the Bombay High Court, demanding the case be transferred to the CBI and seeking an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra minister.
In June 2020, Disha Salian, the former manager of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, allegedly died by suicide after falling from the 14th floor of a high-rise building in Malad, Mumbai. Her death occurred just a week before Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead under mysterious circumstances. In 2021, the Mumbai Police ruled out foul play and closed the case after an inquiry.
However, Mr. Salian’s recent plea reignites suspicions, alleging rape and murder, and calls for further investigation against Aaditya Thackeray, actor Suraj Pancholi, and others. Advocate Nilesh C. Ojha, representing Mr. Salian, claimed that a written complaint was filed on January 12, 2024, but no FIR was registered. The petition also accuses Aaditya Thackeray of misleading the court by falsely stating that he had received a clean chit from the CBI.
The timing of the plea has raised suspicions among Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, who allege a political conspiracy. Sanjay Raut, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, suggested that hidden powers were working to defame the Thackeray family. He linked the petition’s timing to the political turmoil surrounding the Aurangzeb controversy in Maharashtra, accusing rival parties of diverting attention from more pressing state issues.
Raut condemned what he called “continuous efforts to tarnish Aaditya Thackeray’s reputation,” labeling it as a deliberate attempt to damage the political future of a young leader. Ambadas Danve, another Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, directly blamed the BJP, alleging that the party was orchestrating a conspiracy to pressure and discredit Aaditya Thackeray.
While Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders dismiss the allegations as politically motivated, former Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP (SP) leader Anil Deshmukh also suggested that the fresh plea might be part of a larger plot.
Meanwhile, the case has received support from KK Singh, Sushant Singh Rajput’s father. He expressed hope that reopening Disha Salian’s case could uncover the truth behind both Disha’s and Sushant’s mysterious deaths. He stated, “What Disha’s father has done is right, and through this investigation, we may finally know whether these were suicides or murders.”
The renewed legal push raises questions about law enforcement’s handling of the original investigation. Critics argue that Mumbai Police’s closure of the case lacked transparency, and the absence of an FIR following serious allegations only fuels public doubt.
If accepted by the Bombay High Court, a CBI investigation could reopen a high-profile case, bringing further scrutiny on political figures and public institutions.
The Disha Salian death case continues to stir political and legal controversy, with accusations of cover-ups, defamation, and power struggles. Whether the Bombay High Court grants a CBI probe will have far-reaching implications, not only for the Salian family’s quest for justice but also for Aaditya Thackeray’s political career and the broader Maharashtra political landscape.
