Advocate Nilesh Ojha, representing Satish Salian in the Disha Salian death case, on Saturday said he had submitted fresh evidence to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and was planning to approach the Bombay High Court again seeking custodial interrogation of the accused.
Ojha claimed that the points raised by him earlier were being supported by additional material that had emerged during the course of the case. He also referred to a report submitted to the Home Ministry concerning the reinstatement of former police officer Sachin Vaze.
What fresh evidence did Ojha submit?
Speaking to news agency ANI, Ojha said, "Regarding this case, all the points we raised are being substantiated as more evidence comes to light. From our allegations of a false cover-up and the state of Disha's body to the High Court order, the SIT report, and the records currently with the CBI, everything we claimed is being proven true."
He said the new material was a report submitted to the Home Ministry that mentioned Vaze's reinstatement in June 2020.
"We have now obtained a new piece of evidence: a report submitted to the Home Ministry. It clearly states that on June 5, 2020, Sachin Vaze was urgently reinstated into service and assigned to the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU)," he said.
Ojha further alleged that Vaze's appointment to the CIU did not follow the applicable regulations.
"The rules required an officer of the rank of Police Inspector (PI) for the CIU, but Sachin Vaze did not meet this criterion; he was of a lower rank, yet he was appointed there in violation of the regulations," he said.
Advocate seeks fresh High Court petition
Ojha alleged that the circumstances surrounding Vaze's reinstatement raised questions about the case. "This evidence suggests that Vaze was urgently reinstated to execute a conspiracy that included the murder of Disha and its subsequent cover-up, as well as to facilitate extortion, the drug trade, and other illicit activities," he said.
"We have submitted all these details to the CBI today. We have outlined three other important demands to the CBI in today's letter, as we intend to file a fresh petition in the High Court seeking immediate custodial interrogation of the accused and requesting that the investigation proceed under High Court supervision,” he added.
What is the official finding in Disha's death?
Disha, who briefly worked with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died after falling from the 12th floor of a building in Malad at about 2:25 am on June 9, 2020.
The Malwani police registered an accidental death report and concluded that she died by suicide, finding no evidence of foul play. A Special Investigation Team constituted by the Maharashtra government in December 2023 also found no foul play in her death.