A renewed call for an investigation into the death of Disha Salian, the former manager of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has sparked a political storm in Maharashtra nearly five years after her tragic fall from a high-rise building.
Disha Salian’s father, Satish Salian, has raised concerns over the cause of her death in a recent television interview and is believed to have approached the Bombay High Court, seeking a fresh probe into the case. His move has led to heightened security outside his residence and drawn sharp reactions from political leaders. While Maharashtra ministers have assured that justice will be served if any wrongdoing is found, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has alleged that the issue is being used to divert attention from recent communal violence in Nagpur.
According to PTI, Satish Salian stated on Wednesday that he has moved the Bombay High Court, urging the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Aaditya Thackeray—son of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray—and seeking a transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). However, his lawyer, Nilesh Ojha, clarified that the petition was still in the process of being filed at the time of reporting.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) has questioned the timing of the demand for a fresh probe, suggesting it is politically motivated to shift focus from the Nagpur violence, where clashes broke out on March 17 following protests over a tomb linked to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and rumors about the desecration of a religious text.
“We are not aware of the contents of the petition, but its timing is crucial. It appears that certain forces are backing the petitioner to overshadow the Aurangzeb and Nagpur violence issues by reigniting the Disha Salian case,” said Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut.
Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad dismissed allegations of foul play, stating that a CID report found no political connection to the case and no substantial evidence of murder or sexual assault. “I urge all political parties to refrain from playing dirty politics,” he added.
Another Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Ambadas Danve, backed Aaditya Thackeray, calling him a mature and capable leader. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conspiring to tarnish his image. “The court will provide the necessary answers,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat acknowledged suspicions surrounding Disha’s death, emphasizing that her father’s appeal should be taken seriously. “Now that he has approached the High Court, those responsible will face justice,” he said.
Junior home minister Yogesh Kadam assured that the government would comply with any court directives regarding the case.
Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) and an ally of Shiv Sena (UBT), said, “If someone is seeking justice for their daughter, we respect that. But why now, after four years? The BJP is playing politics. The same happened in Bihar with Sushant Singh Rajput’s case during elections. What happened to the special investigation team formed then?”
Anil Deshmukh, former state home minister and Rohit Pawar’s party colleague, also expressed skepticism. “I am gathering more details on the petition. This appears to be part of a larger political conspiracy,” he remarked.
Disha Salian passed away on June 8, 2020, after allegedly falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Malad. The Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) at the time. Less than a week later, on June 14, 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment. While initial investigations pointed to suicide, the case was later transferred to the CBI.
