Disha Salian Death Probe and Rs 500 Crore Legal Notice Put Aaditya Thackeray in Focus

A fresh legal development has placed Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray at the centre of renewed attention surrounding the Disha Salian death case.

Satish Salian, father of the late Disha Salian, has issued a Rs 500 crore legal notice against Thackeray and former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh. The notice alleges that comments made by the two politicians portrayed his efforts to obtain justice as politically motivated.

The notice arrives shortly after the CBI formally registered an FIR concerning Salian’s death.

Disha Salian was a 28-year-old talent manager who died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a high-rise building in Mumbai’s Malad locality. Police initially recorded her death as accidental.

Her case attracted intense attention following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput six days later. Salian had previously worked as Rajput’s manager.

For years, the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death were discussed in the media and public domain. Her father later sought judicial intervention, asking that the circumstances be investigated afresh.

According to reports, the Bombay High Court directed a thorough probe, and the CBI registered an FIR on September 14. The FIR reportedly lists several people whose roles require investigation, including Aaditya Thackeray and others.

The renewed investigation has also coincided with the defamation dispute.

Satish Salian’s legal notice reportedly argues that comments by Thackeray and Deshmukh attacked his credibility. It alleges that they suggested his efforts to pursue legal action were politically motivated and aimed at targeting Thackeray.

The notice disputes these claims and reportedly characterizes them as defamatory. It seeks Rs 500 crore in damages and demands public apologies.

Reports say the notice calls for an unconditional apology that would be made public through television, newspapers and digital platforms. It also reportedly seeks a video apology on the politicians’ official social-media accounts.

Thackeray has strongly denied any connection with Disha Salian. In a post on X, he said that he had never met or known her.

He also said that his name had been repeatedly linked to the case for years despite, according to him, there being no evidence or connection. Thackeray called for the official investigation to continue without political intervention.

This response is important because it directly contests the allegations and claims being circulated in relation to the case. Other people whose names have appeared in discussions surrounding the investigation have also denied involvement, according to reports.

The CBI’s role is now central to determining what happened. The agency’s investigation is expected to examine available evidence, witness accounts and other relevant material.

However, the existence of an FIR should not be confused with a finding of guilt. An FIR records allegations and initiates or advances a criminal investigation. The investigative process must establish whether the allegations are supported by evidence.

The same distinction applies to the Rs 500 crore legal notice. The amount is a compensation demand made by Satish Salian. It has not been awarded by a court.

The dispute could therefore develop along two separate legal tracks. The CBI will investigate the circumstances surrounding Disha Salian’s death, while the legal notice could lead to further proceedings concerning alleged defamation.

The case remains sensitive because it involves a deceased person, a prominent political figure and an investigation that has attracted public attention for several years.

For now, the established developments are that the CBI has registered an FIR, Satish Salian has issued a substantial legal notice, and Aaditya Thackeray has publicly denied knowing Disha Salian. The allegations made by all sides remain subject to the appropriate legal processes.