Bombay HC to hear Disha Salian’s father’s plea for fresh probe, Aaditya Thackeray named in petition

The Bombay High Court has scheduled a hearing on April 2, 2025, for a writ petition filed by Satish Salian, father of Disha Salian, seeking a fresh investigation into his daughter's controversial death. The petition specifically demands an FIR against UBT-Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray and a transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Disha Salian, former manager of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, was found dead on June 8, 2020. Her death, which was officially recorded as an accidental fall from a high-rise in Mumbai, sparked widespread speculation, especially after Rajput’s own death on June 14, 2020. The case was initially handled by Mumbai Police, which formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in 2023, but no criminal case was registered.

The plea names Aaditya Thackeray, with Satish Salian alleging that his daughter’s case was not properly investigated. Thackeray, in response, dismissed the allegations, stating that “A lot of people have tried to defame me for the last five years. If the matter is in court, then we will speak in court.” His remarks indicate that he will respond legally rather than engage in public discussions on the case.

Advocate Faizan Merchant, representing former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede, confirmed that his client has been served a copy of the petition. Wankhede, who played a role in previous drug-related investigations linked to Bollywood, is expected to submit an affidavit detailing evidence gathered during his official inquiries. The nature of this evidence remains undisclosed, but it could influence the court’s decision on whether a fresh probe is warranted.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s death was ruled suicide by asphyxia, with a postmortem conducted at Mumbai’s Cooper Hospital. However, both cases fueled massive public outrage, conspiracy theories, and allegations of foul play. Satish Salian now hopes that a renewed investigation will uncover what he believes are missing links in his daughter’s case.

The court’s decision on April 2 could determine whether the case is reopened under CBI supervision or remains with Mumbai Police. With political and legal dimensions intertwined, the hearing is expected to draw significant attention, especially given the high-profile individuals involved.