Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 21 (ANI): BJP leader Ram Kadam has criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut for calling Disha Salian’s father Satish Salian’s recent visit to Aaditya Thackeray’s residence “pure drama”, saying it was “deeply insensitive” to describe the actions of a grieving parent in such terms.
Speaking to ANI, Kadam said, “Disha Salian's father lost his daughter. To describe his actions as drama is deeply insensitive.”
He also questioned why the investigation was not handed over to the CBI earlier, saying the investigating agencies should be allowed to complete their work and that the judiciary would ultimately decide the matter.
Kadam added, “Repeatedly criticising Disha's family while refusing to hand the investigation over to the CBI raises questions. When your own government and police machinery were in power, no satisfactory investigation was carried out. Naturally, people begin to connect these developments and ask questions.”
He added, "The investigating agencies should be allowed to do their work, and the judiciary will ultimately decide the matter. However, the statements and rhetoric being used only place those making them under greater scrutiny and lead people to wonder why they appear so defensive."
His remarks came after Raut on Sunday strongly criticised Satish Salian following the latter’s visit to the Thackeray family residence, Matoshree, accompanied by his lawyer.
Satish Salian had gone there in connection with a legal notice over what he described as defamation.
Raut described the visit as “pure drama” and alleged that it was intended to generate “cheap publicity” with political backing.
“That is pure drama. A person whose daughter passed away; it was an extremely tragic demise, and all of us grieved it. But for her father to stage such a public spectacle after six years is the misfortune of that girl, that she got such a father. Why is he laughing and giggling in between? Look at it yourself. That is not genuine grief. That man has just found some lawyer. What can we say about him?” Raut said.
Raut also said the case was already under legal scrutiny and urged that the ongoing investigation and court directives be allowed to proceed.
“The CBI is already investigating, right? Let them do it. The court has issued certain directives, and they should be followed. Coming to Matoshree to seek cheap publicity is disgusting. Please remember: when that tragic incident and unfortunate death took place six years ago, everyone expressed sorrow,” he said.
Satish Salian and his lawyer had visited Aaditya Thackeray’s residence on Saturday. Speaking about the visit, Salian said they wanted to demonstrate “the power of the common man” and serve a notice concerning alleged defamation.
Aaditya Thackeray has previously denied knowing Disha Salian. In a post on X, he said he had “never met” her and described the repeated linking of his name to the case as an “evidence-free” attempt at character assassination.
“Let’s cut through the noise and talk facts, once again: I have never met or known Disha Salian. Linking my name to this tragic case constantly is a deliberate, evidence-free attempt at character assassination by a few individuals with clear political and personal motives, for almost 6 years,” Thackeray wrote.
The exchange comes amid a fresh CBI investigation into Salian’s death. Salian, who worked as actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s manager, was found dead in Mumbai on June 8, 2020, after falling from a building. Her death was initially recorded as an Accidental Death Report (ADR). The Bombay High Court has since directed a fresh probe by the CBI.
Salian died days before Rajput, whose death also led to a high-profile investigation and public controversy. (ANI)
"Deeply insensitive...": BJP's Ram Kadam hits back at Sanjay Raut over "drama" remark on Disha Salian's father
