Disha Salian death case: If father raised suspicion, why police didn't lodge FIR, asks HC
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The Bombay High Court has questioned Mumbai Police's handling of the 2020 Disha Salian death case, specifically regarding the lack of an FIR despite parental suspicion. Judges also noted discrepancies in the postmortem report concerning the absence of injuries from a 14-story fall.
Judicial Scrutiny into the Disha Salian Case
The Bombay High Court has recently initiated a critical inquiry into the 2020 death of Disha Salian, a former celebrity manager whose passing occurred under highly contentious circumstances. A bench comprising Justices Bharti Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande has formally questioned the procedural integrity of the initial police investigation, specifically challenging why an First Information Report (FIR) was not registered despite explicit suspicions raised by the victim's father, Satish Salian, at the time of the incident.
Procedural Lapses and Legal Questions
The central issue brought to the fore by the High Court is the discrepancy between the father's stated suspicions and the police's decision to classify the incident merely as an Accidental Death Report (ADR). In the Indian legal system, an ADR is typically filed when a cause of death is not immediately apparent, but the failure to transition to a formal FIR when a complainant expresses doubt raises significant questions about police accountability and the thoroughness of the preliminary probe.
Medical and Forensic Anomalies
Perhaps the most startling observation from the bench involves the forensic evidence presented in the case. The court highlighted a glaring inconsistency in the postmortem report, which indicated that the victim showed no significant injuries despite reportedly falling from a 14th-floor balcony in Malad, Mumbai. Such a finding contradicts common forensic expectations regarding high-impact falls, compelling the judiciary to demand a more rigorous explanation of how such a conclusion was reached by the medical examiners.
Contextualizing the 2020 Incident
Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, during a period when Mumbai was under strict pandemic-related lockdowns. The case quickly became a flashpoint for public speculation and media scrutiny, partly due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved in the entertainment industry. The police had initially concluded their inquiry by ruling the death a suicide, a finding that the family and various public interest litigants have continued to challenge over the years.
Broader Implications for Law Enforcement
This judicial intervention serves as a reminder of the court's role as a watchdog over investigative agencies. By questioning the police's failure to act on parental suspicion, the High Court is signaling a need for greater transparency and adherence to due process in cases that capture widespread public attention. The court's insistence on re-examining the medical findings suggests that the judiciary is not satisfied with the superficial closure previously applied to the case.
Future Trajectory of the Investigation
The court’s inquiries suggest that the legal battle surrounding the Disha Salian case is far from over. As the bench presses for answers regarding the lack of an FIR and the questionable autopsy results, the Mumbai Police may be forced to conduct a more comprehensive review or potentially reopen aspects of the investigation. This development underscores the enduring power of judicial oversight in addressing potential systemic failures within law enforcement agencies.
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