NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar on Tuesday alleged that the renewed CBI investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s former manager Disha Salian could have a political angle, suggesting that the 2029 Lok Sabha elections may be held earlier than expected.
Speaking to reporters, Pawar also backed Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who has been mentioned in connection with the investigation. Pawar said he expected Thackeray to be cleared in the Disha Salian case as well, referring to the earlier investigation into Rajput’s death.
Pawar said Aaditya Thackeray’s name had surfaced during the earlier probe but that he was subsequently cleared. “Whenever the CBI becomes active, politics gets involved,” he said, adding that the latest developments could be linked to the possibility of elections being advanced.
CBI Registers FIR In Disha Salian Death Case
The CBI has registered an FIR into Disha Salian’s death after the Bombay High Court directed the agency to conduct a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Salian died on June 8, 2020, shortly before Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence. Her death had earlier been registered as an Accidental Death Report.
The fresh CBI probe has brought the case back into the political spotlight, with questions being raised over the circumstances of Salian’s death and the people who may be examined during the investigation.
Pawar Defends Aaditya Thackeray
Pawar rejected the suggestion that the renewed investigation would necessarily lead to action against Aaditya Thackeray. He pointed to the earlier scrutiny of Thackeray’s name during the Sushant Singh Rajput investigation and said he expected a similar outcome this time.
His remarks come as the CBI begins examining the case following the High Court’s intervention.
Pawar Questions UCC Focus
Pawar also criticised the BJP-led government’s focus on the Uniform Civil Code after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the UCC would be implemented across all 21 NDA-ruled states before 2029.
The NCP-SP leader alleged that issues such as the UCC were being used to shift public attention away from governance and law-and-order concerns in Maharashtra.
He called on the Centre to focus more closely on women’s safety and the deteriorating law-and-order situation. Pawar particularly referred to concerns over the emergence of criminal gangs in Pune and said these issues required greater attention.
The UCC has already been passed in Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam, with the respective legislations being enacted in 2024, 2026 and 2026.
