The Bombay High Court has ordered a fresh investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the death of former celebrity manager Disha Salian, who died in Mumbai in June 2020.
A bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale directed the CBI to register an FIR and appoint a senior, experienced officer to lead the probe. The Malvani Police Station has been instructed to hand over all documents and case records to the central agency.
The order came after a petition filed by Satish Salian, Disha’s father, who alleged that his daughter was raped and murdered, claiming the earlier inquiry failed to establish the truth. The High Court noted gaps in the previous investigation, including the absence of a formal FIR and inconsistencies in medical findings.
The CBI will now conduct a comprehensive probe, examining witness statements, evidence, and CCTV footage to determine the circumstances of Salian’s death. The court clarified that no one will be treated as an accused unless sufficient material emerges during the investigation.
Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Malad, Mumbai. Police had initially registered an Accidental Death Report, concluding suicide. Her death drew national attention as she had worked with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who died days later.
The High Court also stated that Satish Salian may challenge the CBI’s findings if dissatisfied with the outcome. The fresh probe is expected to revisit all evidence and address the concerns raised before the court.
