Disha Salian Case: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, Rhea Chakraborty And Dino Morea Named In CBI FIR

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formally begun its probe into the death of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, with its FIR naming several prominent figures whose alleged roles are now under scrutiny. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, actors Rhea Chakraborty, Dino Morea and Sooraj Pancholi are among those mentioned in the case registered on Monday.

The development follows the Bombay High Court’s decision earlier this month to hand the investigation to the central agency after Salian’s father, Satish Salian, raised questions over the handling of the case by Mumbai Police.

Case includes serious allegations

The CBI has registered the case under provisions dealing with murder, gang rape, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and furnishing false information.

According to the FIR, the agency will examine the alleged roles of several individuals, including Aaditya Thackeray, Morea, Chakraborty and Pancholi. Doctors and staff associated with the delayed post-mortem have also been listed for investigation.

The FIR contains allegations against former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and others over an alleged conspiracy and cover-up. It further refers to allegations concerning the handling of official records and the conduct of certain public servants and police personnel.

These are allegations that the CBI will now investigate and do not amount to established guilt.

What happened to Disha Salian?

Salian, 28, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Malad, Mumbai. Her death came just days before Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence.

Mumbai Police initially registered an Accidental Death Report in connection with Salian’s death. Following an inquiry, police maintained that she had died by suicide.

Her family has challenged that conclusion.

Father alleged murder and gang rape

Satish Salian approached the Bombay High Court last year, alleging that his daughter had been sexually assaulted and murdered. He also accused Mumbai Police of failing to properly investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

The High Court, while ordering the CBI probe on September 2, questioned the prolonged absence of an FIR and pointed to discrepancies in the investigation. The court also noted that Salian’s family had not received copies of key documents, including the post-mortem report and the ADR, even six years after her death.

CBI seeks old case records

As part of the takeover, the CBI had sought documents and records held by the police relating to Salian’s death.

Satish Salian also appeared before the agency last week and recorded his statement. He repeated allegations against several people, including Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray, claiming they were involved in an alleged conspiracy and subsequent cover-up.

The CBI’s investigation will now focus on reconstructing the events surrounding Salian’s death, examining the evidence collected earlier and verifying the allegations raised by her family.