Full Breakdown
CBI FIR and Political Fallout Over Disha Salian Death
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a First Information Report (FIR) on September 14, 2026 after a Bombay High Court order. The FIR invokes IPC sections covering murder, gang-rape, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and false information. It lists 27 individuals whose “roles require investigation,” including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, his father Uddhav Thackeray, former home minister Anil Deshmukh, actors Dino Morea, Sooraj Pancholi, Rhea Chakraborty, and former police officials Param Bir Singh, Sachin Vaze.
Background & Context
June 8, 2020 former Bollywood manager Disha Salian fell from a 14th-floor apartment in Mumbai. Police recorded an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and ruled it a suicide. Six days later, actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead, sparking speculation about a link. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) in December 2023 found no foul play, but Salian’s father Satish Salian filed a petition alleging gang-rape and murder, claiming police suppressed evidence. The Bombay High Court, on September 2, 2026, ordered a fresh CBI probe, criticizing police for “glareing discrepancies” and for withholding the post-mortem report.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 8, 2020 | Disha Salian dies after falling from her residence. |
| June 14, 2020 | Sushant Singh Rajput found dead. |
| December 2023 | SIT reports no foul play in Salian’s case. |
| Sept 2, 2026 | Bombay High Court orders CBI investigation. |
| Sept 13, 2026 | Satish Salian’s statement recorded; FIR drafted. |
| Sept 14, 2026 | CBI registers FIR. |
| Sept 15, 2026 | Union Minister Ramdas Athawale backs probe. |
| Sept 16, 2026 | Aaditya Thackeray denies any link on X. |
| Sept 17, 2026 | Uddhav Thackeray warns of legal action; Satish Salian serves INR500 cr defamation notice. |
Official Statements & Responses
- Uddhav Thackeray said his family has “no connection with this case,” calling the allegations “character assassination.”
- Satish Salian filed a legal notice seeking INR500 cr in damages, alleging the Thackerays and Deshmukh portrayed his pursuit of a fresh probe as “politically motivated, malicious and defamatory.”
- Seema Pahuja, senior IPS officer, has been appointed to supervise the CBI investigation.
Criticism & Opposition
- Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena UBT leader, described the FIR as a “political conspiracy” aimed at tarnishing the Thackeray family.
- Waris Pathan, AIMIM leader, urged that the case “should not be politicised” and called for restraint, emphasizing that the matter is sub judice.
On-the-Ground Reports
Police constable Santosh Kachirat Gungune’s statement (recorded June 15, 2020) noted that Salian was brought to Shatabdi Hospital by “two men and a woman,” a detail not reflected in earlier police accounts. The CBI has sought all related documents from Mumbai police and plans to interview hospital staff, security guards and witnesses.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The original police investigation concluded suicide, while the father’s petition alleges murder and gang-rape.
- The post-mortem and ADR reports were not provided to Salian’s family for six years, a point highlighted by the High Court.
- The FIR lists names for investigation but does not designate any as accused, leaving their legal status unsettled.
What’s Next
The CBI will examine police records, forensic reports and witness statements, with Seema Pahuja leading the probe. No further court dates have been announced, but the investigation will continue under the High Court’s directive to name no accused until evidence warrants it.