Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Bombay High Court Orders CBI FIR Probe Into Salian Death
Disha Salian died after falling from a residential building in Mumbai on June 8, 2020.
Police recorded the death as an Accidental Death Report and later treated it as suicide.
Her father, Satish Salian, said the investigation was incomplete and alleged that she had been raped and murdered.
The Bombay High Court said the police investigation raised more questions than answers.
It also noted delays and possible problems in records about the scene and post-mortem examination.
The court has ordered the CBI to register an FIR and investigate the case properly.
A senior CBI officer must lead the investigation and collect the police records.
Nobody can be called an accused unless the CBI finds enough evidence against them.
The Bombay High Court ordered the CBI to register an FIR and investigate Disha Salian’s death.
The order followed a petition by her father, Satish Salian, who alleged lapses and a possible cover-up by Mumbai Police.
The court called the police investigation inadequate, citing delays, discrepancies, and the failure to investigate a cognizable offence through an FIR.
The CBI must record Satish Salian’s statement, appoint a senior officer, and obtain all case records from Mumbai Police.
The court said no individual should be treated as an accused without sufficient evidence and allowed Satish Salian to challenge a possible closure report.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, the CBI, Satish Salian, Mumbai Police, and advocate Nilesh Ojha are involved; Aaditya Thackeray was named in Satish Salian’s requested FIR but denied the allegations.
- What
- The court ordered the CBI to register an FIR and conduct a substantive investigation into Disha Salian’s death.
- When
- Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020; the order was reported on September 2, 2026.
- Where
- Salian died after falling from a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area; the case was heard by the Bombay High Court.
- Why
- Satish Salian alleged that Mumbai Police failed to register an FIR and inadequately investigated allegations that his daughter was raped and murdered.
Salian family’s allegations
Police account and legal safeguards
Cause and nature of death
Salian family’s allegations
Satish Salian’s petition alleged that Disha Salian was raped and murdered and that influential people and senior police officers helped suppress the case.
Police account and legal safeguards
Mumbai Police treated the death as accidental and later claimed it was suicide; the court did not declare any individual guilty and left the facts to the CBI investigation.
Need for an FIR
Salian family’s allegations
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that police were required to register an FIR after the family complained of murder and submitted supporting material.
Police account and legal safeguards
Mumbai Police recorded an ADR instead; the High Court criticized the failure to register an FIR but ordered that any accused designation must be based on evidence.
Evidence and investigation quality
Salian family’s allegations
Nilesh Ojha alleged that the post-mortem findings were inconsistent with a fall and said police records contained serious discrepancies.
Police account and legal safeguards
The police account remained that Salian died by suicide, while the court said the disputed injuries, scene evidence, and records required expert and substantive examination rather than a conclusion based only on allegations.
Possible involvement of Aaditya Thackeray
Salian family’s allegations
Satish Salian sought an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray as part of allegations of a politically orchestrated cover-up.
Police account and legal safeguards
The High Court made no finding against Thackeray, who denied the allegations, and said no person should be treated as an accused unless sufficient material is gathered.
- Deceased
- Disha Salian, a former celebrity manager who briefly worked as Sushant Singh Rajput’s manager
- Date of death
- June 8, 2020
- Petitioner
- Satish Salian, Disha Salian’s father
- Investigating agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Earlier police record
- Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR), not an FIR
- Court’s concerns
- The court cited an allegedly delayed spot panchnama, discrepancies in the ADR and post-mortem material, and questions about injuries and blood at the scene.
- Required safeguards
- No person may be treated as an accused without sufficient evidence; Satish Salian may challenge a CBI closure or summary report.
Sources
'Glaring Discrepancies, Inadequate Investigation': What Bombay HC Said While Ordering CBI Probe Into Disha Salian's Death
Bombay HC orders CBI probe into Disha Salian's death
Disha Salian death: Bombay HC orders CBI probe; raps police for delay in investigation
Bombay High Court orders CBI probe into Disha Salian death case
Bombay HC Orders CBI FIR In Disha Salian Case
