A fresh legal development has emerged in the Disha Salian death case, with her father, Satish Salian, issuing a Rs 500 crore defamation notice to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. The notice seeks damages as well as apologies and retractions over statements concerning Satish Salian’s efforts to seek a fresh investigation into his daughter’s death.
According to reports, the notice alleges that statements made by Thackeray and Deshmukh portrayed Satish Salian’s legal efforts as politically motivated and questioned his intentions in seeking an investigation. The notice describes those allegations as false, baseless and defamatory.
What Does the Notice Demand?
The legal notice reportedly gives the two leaders seven days to comply with its demands. Apart from the Rs 500 crore compensation claim, Satish Salian has sought an unconditional public apology and withdrawal of the statements.
According to NDTV, the notice also seeks publication and broadcast of the apology across major print, television and digital platforms, along with publication on the leaders’ official social-media accounts.
The notice was issued shortly after Aaditya Thackeray publicly denied knowing or having met Disha Salian. In a social-media statement, Thackeray said attempts to link him to her death were an effort at character assassination and maintained that there was no connection between them.
CBI FIR in Disha Salian Death Case
The legal development comes days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR in connection with Disha Salian’s death. The FIR followed directions from the Bombay High Court for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Disha Salian, who had worked as a celebrity manager, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area. Her death was initially recorded by Mumbai Police as an accidental death. Actor Sushant Singh Rajput died six days later, leading to years of public speculation about whether the two cases were connected.
Aaditya Thackeray Named in FIR
Reports state that Aaditya Thackeray’s name appears in the CBI FIR among individuals whose roles require investigation. However, being named in an FIR or as a person whose role is to be investigated does not by itself establish criminal wrongdoing or guilt. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Bombay High Court, while directing the investigation, also stated that no person should be treated as an accused unless sufficient material exists against them.
Neither the Rs 500 crore claim nor the allegations contained in the legal notice constitute a final judicial finding. The matter will depend on the investigation, responses from the concerned parties and any subsequent legal proceedings.
