New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday backed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of celebrity manager Disha Salian.
Speaking to ANI, Athawale emphasised that law enforcement must hold everyone accountable regardless of their political lineage and asserted that the inquiry ordered by the Bombay High Court must proceed without political bias, prejudice, or political targeting.
The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a formal First Information Report (FIR) following clear directions from the Bombay High Court. During court proceedings, a Division Bench comprising Justice Bharti Dangre and Justice Manjusha Deshpande expressed strong concerns over why the police had maintained only an Accidental Death Report (ADR) for over five years, despite persistent allegations of murder from Salian's family and the withholding of key post-mortem documentation from her parents.
Addressing political speculation surrounding prominent individuals, Athawale clarified, "As to who is connected—whether anyone from the Thackeray family, Aaditya Thackeray, or anyone else—a thorough investigation will take place. We have no intention to defame anyone, nor does the government have any policy of discriminating against anyone."
Demanding an impartial investigation, the Minister declared, "However, if a CBI inquiry has been directed, even if the son of a big leader is involved, action must be taken against him. The CBI should conduct this inquiry in the right direction.”
Recalling the timeline, Athawale noted, "Initial reports suggested that she had jumped from her building, fallen down, and committed suicide... But when her father filed a writ petition in the High Court and presented complete evidence stating that his daughter was not someone who would commit suicide and that she had been murdered... the Mumbai High Court directed that the government must take steps toward a CBI inquiry."
The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a formal First Information Report (FIR) following clear directions from the Bombay High Court. During court proceedings, a Division Bench comprising Justice Bharti Dangre and Justice Manjusha Deshpande expressed strong concerns over why the police had maintained only an Accidental Death Report (ADR) for over five years, despite persistent allegations of murder from Salian's family and the withholding of key post-mortem documentation from her parents.
Salian was found dead on June 8, 2020, days before Rajput was found dead at his residence in Bandra, Mumbai. Her death had earlier been recorded as an Accidental Death Report (ADR).
Notably, on Tuesday, her father Satish Salian submitted statements to officials naming several high-profile public figures and demanding severe legal penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, for those responsible.
He named Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, actors Dino Morea and Sooraj Pancholi, along with their bodyguards, Rohan Roy, Rhea Chakraborty, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, Sachin Vaze, former DCP Vishal Thakur, and the former PI of the Malwani police station.
Expressing grief and seeking accountability, Satish Salian told ANI, "Justice must be served. They should receive the punishment prescribed by law. Just as they stripped my daughter of her dignity, they too will be stripped of theirs. They should get either life imprisonment or the death penalty."
Detailed statements submitted to officials allege both direct involvement and a broader law-enforcement cover-up. Satish Salian revealed, "I told the officials the names of those who committed the atrocity; I provided all those details and gave them my statement. I gave the names of Aaditya Thackeray, Dino Morea, Sooraj Pancholi and their bodyguards, and in covering—Param Bir Singh, Rhea Chakraborty, Sachin Vaze, and many others. I handed all those details over to them."
She died days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput, whose death also triggered a high-profile investigation and public controversy.
Earlier, in an Instagram statement, Sooraj Pancholi said that he has been unfairly dragged into the matter.
In an Instagram statement, Sooraj Pancholi said he would continue to cooperate with the CBI in its investigation, while maintaining that he never met Disha Salian and had no connection or association with her."I have never met Late Disha Salian in my life, directly or indirectly. I have also never met Aditya Thackeray in my life! It is honestly very unfair and extremely upsetting to see my name being dragged into something that I have absolutely nothing to do with, especially when there is no evidence or proof connecting me to this matter," his post read. (ANI)
"Even if son of big leader is involved, action must be taken": Union Minister Ramdas Athawale backs CBI probe into Disha Salian case
