5 days ago
Bombay High Court Reserves Order in Disha Salian Death Probe
Disha Salian died after falling from a building in Mumbai in June 2020.
Her father, Satish Salian, says her death should be investigated more thoroughly.
He has alleged that she was assaulted and murdered rather than dying by suicide.
The Bombay High Court examined his request.
The judges questioned why the authorities had not completed the investigation earlier.
They also asked questions about evidence, injuries and how the investigation was conducted.
The government said Disha died by suicide and that the injuries came from the fall.
The court has finished hearing the case but has not yet announced its decision.
The Bombay High Court reserved its order on Satish Salian’s plea for a thorough investigation into his daughter’s death.
The court questioned why authorities had not registered an offence or completed the investigation over nearly five years.
Judges examined alleged shortcomings in the panchnama, CCTV evidence, witness statements and post-mortem procedures.
The court also sought clarification about Disha Salian’s injuries and whether they were consistent with a fall from the building.
The state maintained that Disha died by suicide after falling from a Mumbai building and denied foul play.
- Who
- Satish Salian, Disha Salian’s father, petitioned the Bombay High Court; the case was heard by Justices Sarang Kotwal and R R Bhonsale.
- What
- The court heard a plea seeking a fair and thorough investigation into Disha Salian’s death and reserved its order.
- Where
- The case was heard in the Bombay High Court in Mumbai, and Disha fell from a building in Mumbai.
- When
- The hearing concluded and the order was reserved on August 28, 2026; Disha died in June 2020.
- Why
- Satish Salian sought answers and a further investigation, alleging that police failed to register his complaint and that his daughter was murdered.
Satish Salian’s allegations
State government’s position
Cause of death
Satish Salian’s allegations
Satish Salian alleged that Disha was assaulted and murdered rather than dying by suicide.
State government’s position
The state maintained that the preliminary investigation indicated that Disha died by suicide after falling from the building.
Investigation delay
Satish Salian’s allegations
The petition sought a fair and thorough investigation and alleged that police failed to register his complaint.
State government’s position
The government questioned why the family approached the court after nearly five years and said the parents’ statements had already been recorded.
Evidence and procedure
Satish Salian’s allegations
The court examined alleged shortcomings involving the panchnama, absent direct CCTV footage, differing accounts about a closed door, post-mortem guidelines and the nature of Disha’s injuries.
State government’s position
The government said Disha fell on her face, suffered a skull fracture and serious jaw injury, and that the post-mortem was conducted under Covid-19 restrictions.
Key facts
- Petitioner
- Satish Salian, Disha Salian’s father
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Bench
- Justices Sarang Kotwal and R R Bhonsale
- Order status
- The hearing concluded and the court reserved its order.
- Death
- Disha Salian died after falling from a building in Mumbai in June 2020.
- Investigation concerns
- The court questioned the delay, the panchnama, CCTV evidence, witness statements, injuries and post-mortem procedures.
- State’s position
- The state said the preliminary Mumbai Police investigation indicated suicide, denied foul play and attributed the injuries to the fall.
Quotes
Bombay High Court bench
The bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and R R Bhonsale hearing Satish Salian’s petition.
“We have nothing to do with politicians. We are concerned only with the father’s petition”
freepressjournal.in
“What about the investigation you conducted for six years? Is all this futile?”
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