Aaditya Thackeray denies Disha Salian links, calls allegations ‘character assassination’

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday broke his silence over the CBI FIR in the Disha Salian death case, denying any association with her and alleging that attempts had been made for six years to link his name to the case as part of a campaign of “character assassination”.

Thackeray’s response came after the Central Bureau of Investigation registered an FIR following a Bombay High Court order for a fresh probe into the 2020 death of Salian, a celebrity manager who had briefly worked with late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Thackeray rejects allegations

In a social media statement, Thackeray said he had never met Salian and did not know her. He alleged that his name had repeatedly been linked to the case through what he described as politically motivated claims, false information and media speculation.

Thackeray said he had remained silent on the allegations for years but was responding after his name figured in the complaint forming the basis of the CBI investigation. He maintained that the allegations against him were false and said the investigation should be conducted impartially and without political interference. Thackeray also said he would continue to fight against what he described as attempts to malign his reputation.

CBI begins fresh probe

The CBI registered the FIR after the Bombay High Court on September 2 ordered a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death. Her father, Satish Salian, subsequently recorded a fresh statement before the agency. The FIR is based on allegations made by Satish Salian, who has sought an investigation into the roles of several politicians, actors, police officers and others. The names referred to in the complaint include Aaditya Thackeray, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Rhea Chakraborty, Sooraj Pancholi, Dino Morea, former Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh and former police officer Sachin Vaze, among others.

However, the inclusion of names in the complaint or FIR does not mean that those individuals have been made accused in the case. The High Court specifically directed that no person should be treated as an accused unless the investigating officer finds sufficient grounds to raise reasonable suspicion against them during the investigation.

Father alleges conspiracy

Satish Salian has alleged that his daughter was sexually assaulted and murdered and that an effort was subsequently made to cover up the circumstances surrounding her death. These allegations have not been established and will now form part of the CBI investigation.

Salian died after falling from a high-rise residential building in Mumbai in June 2020. Mumbai Police initially registered an accidental death report and later concluded that there was no evidence of foul play. A Special Investigation Team constituted by the Maharashtra government also found no evidence of foul play. Salian’s father subsequently approached the High Court challenging the earlier findings and seeking a fresh investigation.

Six-year-old case reopened

The CBI is expected to re-examine documentary, forensic and technical evidence and record statements of people connected with the events surrounding Salian’s death. The agency is also expected to examine allegations concerning the handling of evidence and official records during the earlier investigation. With the fresh probe now underway, Thackeray has said he wants the investigation to proceed independently and maintained that he has no connection with Salian or the circumstances surrounding her death.