Nearly six years after Disha Salian’s death, the case is back in focus after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR following a Bombay High Court order. With several prominent names mentioned in the FIR and allegations ranging from murder and gang rape to conspiracy and alleged evidence tampering, here is what is established, what has been alleged and where the investigation stands.
The CBI registered an FIR in the Disha Salian death case on September 14, 2026, following a Bombay High Court order directing a fresh investigation. It was on September 2, the High Court ordered a CBI probe into her death, citing discrepancies in the earlier investigation. The court also directed that no individual should be treated as an accused unless sufficient material emerges during the probe.
What happened to Disha Salian?
Disha Salian (28) was a celebrity manager who had worked with late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. According to Mumbai Police, she died after falling from a high-rise building in Malad, Mumbai on June 8, 2020. Though she was found under mysterious circumstances, the police registered a case of accidental death.
Sushant Singh Rajput died 6 days later, on June 14, 2020, after being found dead at his Bandra residence. The close timing of the 2 deaths led to widespread speculation about a possible connection between the cases.
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Mumbai Police later concluded that there was no foul play and that she died by suicide after jumping from the 14th floor of the building.
The case was subsequently reviewed, including by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), but no foul play or link to Rajput’s death was established.
The Bombay High Court has now ordered a fresh investigation by the CBI after finding that aspects of the earlier probe required further examination. The court subsequently directed the Malvani Police Station to hand over all records to the CBI.
Following this, the CBI registered an FIR after recording the statement of Salian’s father, Satish Salian.
What does Disha’s father allege?
Disha’s father, Satish Salian, has alleged that his daughter was gang-raped and murdered. He also alleged that her death was made to appear as a suicide.
He has further alleged a conspiracy and the suppression, destruction or fabrication of evidence.
His statement to the CBI also raises questions about CCTV footage, the position of the body, clothing, forensic material, mobile phone records and medical and post-mortem documents. These claims form part of the FIR but have not been independently established.
Salian has also alleged that his daughter had sensitive information about influential people and that this was connected to her death. This too remains an allegation under investigation.
The CBI FIR invokes provisions relating to murder, criminal conspiracy, destruction or fabrication of evidence and falsification of records. It also records the father’s allegations of sexual assault and gang rape as part of the circumstances to be investigated.
The CBI is now examining police records, forensic and medical material, witness statements, CCTV footage and other evidence from the earlier investigation.
Who has been mentioned in the allegations?
The CBI FIR named several people whose roles are to be investigated.
They include Aaditya Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray, Anil Deshmukh, former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, Sachin Vaze, actors Dino Morea, Sooraj Pancholi, Rhea Chakraborty and Showik Chakraborty, along with police, forensic and medical personnel.
The FIR also referred to allegations involving the creation and propagation of what the complainant describes as a false suicide narrative, as well as alleged suppression or fabrication of evidence.
These are matters the CBI is investigating. The FIR does not by itself establish that any of the named individuals committed an offence.
What has been alleged about the Thackerays?
The names of Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Aaditya Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray appear in the CBI FIR registered in the Disha Salian death. The FIR lists their alleged roles for investigation, but does not name anyone as an accused.
Satish Salian, has alleged that Aaditya Thackeray and others were involved in a conspiracy and the alleged cover-up following her death. The FIR also refers to allegations of a false suicide narrative and the suppression, destruction or fabrication of evidence. These remain allegations under investigation.
Meanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray has denied ever meeting or knowing Disha Salian. He has described the allegations linking him to her death as an evidence-free campaign and called them character assassination.
Uddhav Thackeray has also rejected any direct or indirect connection between his family and the case. He has termed the allegations as politically motivated and said he would consider legal action against moves to tarnish his family's reputation.
On the other hand, Satish Salian has since sent a Rs 500-crore defamation notice to Aaditya Thackeray over statements concerning his demand for a fresh investigation. The notice is a legal claim and has not been adjudicated by a court yet.
The Bombay High Court has said that no person should be treated as an accused unless sufficient material emerges during the CBI investigation. Therefore, the allegations against the Thackerays remain unproven allegations at this stage.
Where does the case stand?
As of September 19, 2026, the CBI investigation is underway.
The allegations of murder, gang rape, conspiracy and evidence suppression remain under investigation.
The agency is examining the allegations raised by Salian’s father, the earlier police investigation and the evidence surrounding her death.
The people named in connection with the allegations have denied wrongdoing, while the High Court has made clear that guilt cannot be presumed merely because someone has been named.
The CBI investigation will determine whether the allegations are supported by evidence and whether any individual can be held criminally responsible.
