MUMBAI: India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) into the 2020 death of celebrity manager Disha Salian, listing several high-profile politicians, actors, and former senior police officials as requiring examination, according to media reports on Monday.
The development follows recent directions from the Bombay High Court ordering a fresh probe into the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death.
Media reports citing the FIR state that those whose roles are set to be examined include Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, his father and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, actors Rhea Chakraborty, Dino Morea, and Sooraj Pancholi, as well as former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.
According to reports, investigators will examine the roles of those listed regarding alleged principal offences, criminal conspiracy, the alleged creation and propagation of a false suicide story, and the alleged suppression, destruction, or fabrication of evidence.
Others named in the report for investigation include Showik Chakraborty, former police officer Sachin Waze, former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, bodyguards, medical personnel linked to the post-mortem, and forensic officers.
Salian, 28, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a residential building in Mumbai. Her death occurred six days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his residence in Bandra. Salian had briefly managed Rajput’s career.
Mumbai Police had initially registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and later concluded that Salian died by suicide. However, the Bombay High Court recently raised questions over the handling of the case, noting glaring discrepancies and criticising authorities for failing to file a formal FIR for six years.
The High Court clarified that naming individuals in an FIR does not automatically classify them as accused, stating that formal proceedings would depend strictly on evidence gathered during the investigation.
Salian’s father, Satish Salian, who had previously approached the court alleging foul play, welcomed the development. “I stated the facts exactly as they were… I listed all the names,” he told reporters, expressing confidence that justice would be served.
Shweta Singh Kirti, sister of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, also welcomed the news on social media, expressing hope that the fresh inquiry would bring the truth to light.
