Aaditya Thackeray, Rhea Chakraborty named in Disha death case: Key details from CBI FIR
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KANCHAN YADAV
The CBI has officially registered an FIR into the 2020 death of Disha Salian following a scathing critique from the Bombay High Court. The court faulted the Mumbai Police for treating the case as an accidental death for six years without a formal FIR.
The CBI Takes Over the Disha Salian Case
On September 14, 2026, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officially registered an FIR into the death of Disha Salian, the former manager of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. This development marks a significant turning point in a case that has remained shrouded in controversy since Salian’s death on June 8, 2020, following a fall from the 12th floor of a residential building in the Malad area of Mumbai.
Judicial Intervention and Criticism
The initiation of this federal probe follows a direct intervention by the Bombay High Court. Earlier this month, the court issued a stern rebuke to the Mumbai Police, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the way the case was handled over the past six years. The judiciary noted that the police’s handling of the matter “raises more questions than answers,” highlighting a critical failure in the investigative process.
Discrepancies in Initial Investigations
A primary point of contention for the High Court was the Mumbai Police’s decision to classify the incident solely as an accidental death. For six years, authorities maintained this classification despite growing public and legal skepticism. The court pointed to “glaring discrepancies” in the initial investigation, suggesting that the lack of a formal FIR hindered the pursuit of justice and prevented a comprehensive examination of the facts surrounding the tragic event.
Procedural Failures and Accountability
The failure to register an FIR for such an extended period is a procedural anomaly that the High Court found unacceptable. By treating the case as an accidental death rather than a criminal investigation, the police effectively limited the scope of the inquiry. The court's decision to hand the case over to the CBI signifies a lack of institutional confidence in the local police's capacity to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation into the circumstances of Salian's demise.
Broader Implications for Justice
This case has long been linked in the public consciousness to the high-profile death of Sushant Singh Rajput, given Salian’s professional role as his former manager. The transition of the case to federal oversight is likely to reignite public interest and place renewed pressure on investigative agencies to provide definitive answers. The shift in jurisdiction reflects a broader trend of judicial intervention in cases where local law enforcement is perceived to have failed in its duty to uphold transparency.
Future Outlook and Conclusion
As the CBI begins its formal investigation, the agency will likely focus on resolving the discrepancies identified by the High Court. The primary challenge will be re-examining evidence that has been subject to six years of administrative stagnation. The outcome of this probe will be critical, not only for bringing closure to the Salian family but also for addressing the systemic concerns raised by the judiciary regarding the integrity of the original police investigation.
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