Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 15 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said his party has "no objection" if the CBI conducts an impartial investigation into the Disha Salian case.
Raut alleged that the issue was being repeatedly raised for "political motives" despite investigations establishing that party leader Aaditya Thackeray had "no connection" with the matter.
Speaking about the case, Raut said he had earlier refrained from commenting on it as it was a sensitive matter involving a young woman and her family. "Disha Salian's death was
unfortunate. The Mumbai Police have investigated the matter multiple times. The integrity and impartiality of the Mumbai Police cannot be questioned," Raut said.
He said Shiv Sena was no longer in power in Maharashtra and Uddhav Thackeray was not the Chief Minister, while Devendra Fadnavis currently holds the posts of Chief Minister and Home Minister. Raut said the investigation into the case was completed and a closure report was submitted during the tenure of the present government as well.
"According to the police report, Aaditya Thackeray had no connection whatsoever to the case," he said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that the matter was being brought up repeatedly for political reasons. "This is tarnishing the reputation of Disha Salian and her family. A sensitive matter has been turned into a political battleground," Raut said.
He said that when the matter reached the court and a CBI inquiry was ordered, it was clarified that the investigation should not proceed by treating anyone as an accused from the outset. "The recent discourse surrounding this case in certain media outlets is part of a political conspiracy," Raut alleged.
He added that the Thackeray family holds a distinct place in Maharashtra and alleged that attempts were being made to defame Balasaheb Thackeray's family. "We have no objection if the CBI conducts an impartial investigation. We never opposed a CBI inquiry, but the entire issue is being exploited for political motives," Raut said.
Raut further said that the matter was sub judice and a legal case could not be built merely on statements or media reports.
Responding to NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar's remarks regarding Aaditya Thackeray's name being linked to the case, Raut described it as a politically motivated issue. He claimed that the Supreme Court's upcoming verdict could bring major changes in Maharashtra politics and impact national politics as well.
"An atmosphere of political pressure is being deliberately created ahead of this. Pressure tactics are being used to secure support on the issue of delimitation," Raut alleged.
He also said Aaditya Thackeray remained at the forefront of the fight against injustice and corruption in Maharashtra. "Attempts to stop Aaditya Thackeray will not succeed," Raut said.
On reports related to the High Court and the alleged leak of FIR details, Raut questioned how only one page of a 16-page FIR surfaced. "If the FIR is of 16 pages, how did only one page leak? Why were news reports being aired based only on that page?" he asked.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday registered an FIR in connection with the death of Disha Salian following a direction from the Bombay High Court for a thorough probe into the case.
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). (ANI)
"We have no objection if CBI conducts impartial probe": Sanjay Raut on Disha Salian case
