Bombay High Court Orders CBI Investigation into Death of Former Celebrity Manager Disha Salian

Trigger Warning: This story contains references to murder, sexual assault, and death. Reader discretion is advised.

In a significant legal development regarding the high-profile death of former celebrity manager Disha Salian, the Bombay High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate a formal probe. The court’s intervention follows persistent legal efforts by Salian’s family, who have challenged the findings of the initial police investigation conducted in 2020.

A Mandate for Further Investigation

A division bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale issued the directive on Wednesday, instructing the federal agency to register a First Information Report (FIR) and record the statement of Satish Salian, the deceased’s father.

Addressing the sensitivity of the matter, the court emphasized a balanced approach to the legal proceedings. The bench clarified that no individual should be designated as an accused party until the investigation yields concrete evidence to substantiate such allegations.

Furthermore, the Bombay High Court has ordered the Mumbai Police to transfer all relevant case documentation to the CBI without delay. Regarding the future of the case, the court stated, “In case the investigation reveals that no case is made out, then the CBI shall file the appropriate summary report before the court concerned.” Crucially, the court granted Satish Salian the right to contest any such report should the family remain dissatisfied with the agency’s final findings.

A Contested Timeline

Disha Salian, who managed several high-profile celebrities, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in the Malad suburb of Mumbai. At the time, the Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and, following an inquiry, officially classified the death as a suicide.

However, the family has long disputed this conclusion. Last year, Satish Salian filed a petition in the High Court alleging that his daughter did not take her own life, but was instead the victim of gang rape and murder.

Representing the family, Advocate Nilesh Ojha challenged the credibility of the original police investigation, arguing that it failed to account for suspicious circumstances surrounding the event. The petition further alleged that the death was part of a politically motivated cover-up designed to protect influential figures, specifically naming Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray in connection with the demand for an independent inquiry.

As the CBI probe begins, the focus remains on whether the central agency will uncover evidence that contradicts the initial suicide finding or validate the claims brought forth by the family.