Full Breakdown
CBI Takes Over Six-Year-Old Investigation into Disha Salian’s Death
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opened a fresh probe into the June 8, 2020 death of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The agency filed a first-information report (FIR) on September 13, 2026, after a September 2 directive from the Bombay High Court that highlighted “glaring discrepancies” in the earlier police inquiry. No individual has been named as an accused; the FIR lists sections covering criminal conspiracy, gang-rape, murder, destruction of evidence and falsification of records, and names several public figures and officials for investigation.
Background & Context
Salian fell from the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area. Mumbai Police initially recorded the incident as an accidental death and later as a suicide. Her father, Satish Salian, filed a petition alleging gang-rape and murder, prompting the High Court to order a CBI investigation. The case has been linked in public discourse to Rajput’s death on June 14, 2020, though no evidentiary link has been established.
Key Figures & Groups
- Seema Pahuja – Superintendent of Police, Special Crime Unit, CBI, Delhi; leads the probe.
- Satish Salian – Father of Disha Salian, petitioner.
- Rohan Roy – Salian’s fiancé; his residence hosted a gathering on the night of the death.
- Aaditya Thackeray – Shiv Sena (UBT) leader named in the FIR.
- Dino Morea, Sooraj Pancholi, Rhea Chakraborty, Uddhav Thackeray, Anil Deshmukh, Sachin Vaze, Param Bir Singh – Listed for possible involvement in evidence suppression or related offences.
Timeline
- June 8, 2020 – Disha Salian dies after falling from a high-rise building.
- June 14, 2020 – Actor Sushant Singh Rajput is found dead in Bandra.
- September 2, 2026 – Bombay High Court orders the CBI to register an FIR.
- September 13, 2026 – CBI registers the FIR.
- September 16, 2026 – News reports on Seema Pahuja’s assignment.
Data & Statistics
- Date of death: June 8, 2020.
- FIR filing date: September 13, 2026.
- Court directive date: September 2, 2026.
- Floor of fall: 14th floor.
Official Statements & Responses
The High Court’s September 2 order cited “discrepancies” in the original investigation and instructed the CBI to pursue a comprehensive inquiry, emphasizing that no person should be designated as an accused without supporting evidence. A CBI official confirmed that the FIR was filed pursuant to the court’s direction and that names will be added only after evidentiary substantiation. The FIR also calls for questioning of autopsy and forensic officials, building security guards, and several police officers for alleged destruction, suppression or fabrication of evidence.
On-the-Ground Reports
Investigators will record statements from all individuals present at the gathering hosted by Rohan Roy on the night of June 8, 2020, and re-examine police records, post-mortem reports, forensic material and digital evidence. The six-year gap presents a logistical challenge in reconstructing events and locating witnesses.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Cause of death: Police classified the incident as suicide; the father’s petition alleges homicide and gang-rape.
- Evidence access: The court noted that post-mortem and accidental death reports were not provided to Salian’s family, indicating a documentation gap.
What’s Next
The CBI will focus on forensic re-analysis, verification of documentary evidence, and systematic recording of witness testimonies. Naming of suspects will occur only after concrete evidence is established, in line with the High Court’s directive.