Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Aaditya Thackeray Rejects ₹500-Crore Defamation Notice in Salian Case
Aaditya Thackeray received a legal notice from Satish Salian, whose daughter Disha died in Mumbai in 2020.
Satish said two of Thackeray’s posts harmed his reputation and demanded ₹500 crore.
Thackeray answered in a detailed written reply.
He said he had never met or known Disha.
He also said the posts did not name Satish and called for an official investigation.
Thackeray said he would not remove the posts, apologise, or pay money.
Satish plans to give the Central Bureau of Investigation a pen drive with alleged evidence.
His lawyer says it contains a video from someone claiming to have seen Thackeray and others at the scene.
The claims in the video have not been independently checked.
Aaditya Thackeray rejected Satish Salian’s ₹500-crore defamation notice in a 25-page, 69-point reply.
Thackeray said he would not delete his two X posts, apologise, or pay compensation.
He argued that the posts did not name Satish Salian and that denying allegations while seeking a fair investigation cannot constitute defamation.
Satish Salian said he would submit a pen drive to the Central Bureau of Investigation containing alleged evidence concerning Disha Salian’s death.
Salian’s lawyer said the material includes an eyewitness video alleging Thackeray and others were involved, but the claims have not been independently verified.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Satish Salian are the main parties; the Central Bureau of Investigation is expected to receive alleged evidence.
- What
- Thackeray rejected a ₹500-crore defamation claim, while Salian said he would submit a pen drive concerning the investigation into Disha Salian’s death.
- When
- The report is dated September 23, 2026; the disputed posts were published on September 16 and the notice was dated September 17.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Mumbai, the Bombay High Court proceedings, and the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Mumbai office.
- Why
- Salian alleges that Thackeray’s posts damaged his integrity and credibility, while Thackeray says he was linked to the case without verified evidence and was entitled to deny the allegations.
Aaditya Thackeray’s Position
Satish Salian’s Position
Whether the posts were defamatory
Aaditya Thackeray’s Position
Thackeray says the posts did not name Satish Salian and that a denial accompanied by a call for an official investigation cannot be treated as defamation.
Satish Salian’s Position
Salian’s notice alleges that the posts damaged his integrity, credibility, honesty, and bona fides and portrayed his campaign for an investigation as improper and politically motivated.
Thackeray’s connection to the case
Aaditya Thackeray’s Position
Thackeray says he never met or knew Disha Salian and was linked to the case by political actors, vested interests, and sections of the media without verified evidence.
Satish Salian’s Position
Salian has sought a fresh investigation and says Thackeray and others should be examined in connection with his daughter’s death.
Alleged evidence and legal action
Aaditya Thackeray’s Position
Thackeray says recent Bombay High Court proceedings made no adverse finding against anyone and that his posts did not obstruct or decide the investigation.
Satish Salian’s Position
Salian’s lawyer says a pen drive includes an eyewitness video alleging Thackeray and others were involved and has sought immediate action, including arrests; the material has not been independently verified.
- Defamation demand
- ₹500 crore
- Thackeray’s reply
- 25 pages containing 69 points
- Disputed posts
- English and Marathi posts published from Thackeray’s X account on September 16
- Thackeray’s position
- He will not remove the posts, apologise, or pay compensation
- Salian’s requested remedies
- Post removal, a 90-day bilingual apology, media corrections, and disclosure of account analytics and communications
- Alleged evidence
- A pen drive reportedly containing video-recorded testimony from an alleged eyewitness
- Verification status
- The alleged contents of the video have not been independently verified
Sources
Aaditya Thackeray Dismisses Disha Salian Father's Rs 500 Crore Defamation Notice, Terms Allegations Frivolous
‘Denial Cannot Be Defamation’: Aaditya Thackeray Rejects ₹500-Crore Defamation Notice In Disha Salian Case
