Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday reacted to the Bombay High Court’s decision to hand over the investigation into the death of celebrity manager Disha Salian to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying the state police had already completed its inquiry before the court sought further investigation.
Fadnavis said the High Court may have found that certain aspects required additional examination or that there were technical shortcomings in the earlier investigation.
“Mumbai Police had completed its investigation and submitted its report. However, perhaps the High Court felt that further investigation was required or that there were some technical shortcomings. Therefore, the case was handed over to the CBI,” Fadnavis told reporters.
The Chief Minister said he did not have much more to add to the matter at this stage.
Disha Salian Died In June 2020
Disha Salian, who worked as a celebrity manager and had professional links with late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died on June 8, 2020. She fell from the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area.
Following her death, Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR). The police investigation subsequently concluded that Salian had died by suicide.
The circumstances surrounding her death have remained a subject of public and political debate, particularly after allegations by her father, Satish Salian, who has sought a fresh and independent investigation.
Bombay HC Orders CBI Probe
On Wednesday, September 2, the Bombay High Court directed the CBI to investigate Salian’s death while hearing a petition filed by her father.
Satish Salian has alleged that his daughter was assaulted and killed and sought an investigation independent of the Mumbai Police. His lawyer, Nilesh Ojha, also alleged that the police had failed to register his complaint.
The court directed a senior CBI officer heading the agency’s Mumbai bureau to appoint an investigating officer. The officer has been instructed to record Satish Salian’s statement and register an FIR.
The investigating team has also been directed to examine all circumstances and aspects connected with Disha Salian’s death.
Court Cautions Against Premature Accusations
While ordering the investigation, the High Court made it clear that no person should automatically be treated as an accused merely because their name emerges during the proceedings.
The court said an individual should be treated as an accused only if the investigation uncovers sufficient material giving rise to reasonable suspicion against that person.
The CBI probe is therefore expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death afresh and determine whether the available material warrants any further criminal action.
The latest development comes more than six years after Salian’s death and could bring renewed scrutiny to a case that has continued to attract political and public attention.
