MUMBAI: Satish Salian, father of Disha Salian, has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking a fresh investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding his daughter's death. The case is scheduled for hearing on April 2, nearly five years after Disha’s tragic demise on June 8, 2020.  

Disha was found dead after reportedly falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Malad, Mumbai, just six days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020. She had previously worked as Rajput’s manager.  

In his petition, Satish Salian alleges that Disha was brutally raped and murdered, claiming a politically orchestrated cover-up to shield influential individuals. He has demanded the registration of an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and has requested the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).  

The plea also criticizes the Mumbai Police for what it describes as a hasty conclusion, classifying Disha’s death as a suicide or accidental fall without thoroughly examining forensic evidence, circumstantial details, or eyewitness testimonies. Salian’s lawyer stated that the petition aims to uncover the truth and hold accountable those allegedly involved in a conspiracy.  

The petition states that the circumstances surrounding Disha Salian’s death were immediately suspicious, yet instead of conducting an impartial and scientific investigation, the Mumbai Police hastily closed the case as a suicide, ignoring critical evidence, forensic reports, and witness statements.  

Earlier, in March 2023, the Mumbai Police formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe Disha Salian’s death. However, the petition claims that Satish Salian initially trusted the investigation but now believes it was part of a cover-up.  

The case has reignited political debates, with BJP leader Narayan Rane alleging that former CM Uddhav Thackeray personally requested him not to implicate Aaditya Thackeray in the matter. Aaditya has dismissed the allegations, calling them baseless attempts to tarnish his image.