Bombay High Court Orders CBI Probe Into Disha Salian’s Death, Says No One Should Be Accused Without Evidence

Mumbai: Nearly six years after the death of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the case is set to undergo a fresh investigation after the Bombay High Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR and conduct a detailed probe.

The court’s order came on a petition filed by Satish Salian, Disha Salian’s father, who had raised concerns about the way the Mumbai Police handled the investigation into his daughter’s death in June 2020.

Disha Salian was found dead on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area. Her death occurred only days before Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence. At the time, Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in connection with Salian’s death.

The latest court order now puts the CBI at the centre of a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Court Directs CBI to Register FIR and Examine Evidence

A bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale directed the CBI to register an FIR and undertake a thorough investigation.

At the same time, the court made an important clarification: nobody should automatically be treated as an accused merely because their name appears in connection with the case. A person can be made an accused only if the investigating officer finds sufficient material or evidence against them.

This direction underlines the court’s emphasis on an evidence-based investigation rather than conclusions based on allegations alone.

The Bombay High Court has also directed the Mumbai Police to hand over all relevant case records and documents to the CBI so that the central agency can begin its investigation.

Disha Salian’s Father Had Raised Questions Over the Probe

The fresh investigation follows a petition filed by Satish Salian, who has consistently questioned the manner in which his daughter’s death was investigated.

According to the petition, the family had concerns about alleged lapses in the police investigation. The case had remained the subject of public discussion for years, particularly because Disha Salian died only days before the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

During earlier proceedings, the Bombay High Court had also raised questions over why only an Accidental Death Report had been registered despite allegations of foul play being raised by the family.

The court had further noted that copies of important documents, including the post-mortem report and the ADR, had not been provided to Disha Salian’s family even several years after her death.

Police Had Earlier Treated the Death as Suicide

The Mumbai Police had earlier concluded, following its inquiry, that Disha Salian died by suicide.

However, Satish Salian later approached the Bombay High Court and alleged that his daughter had been gang-raped and murdered. These allegations were disputed by the earlier police findings, making the question of how the death should be investigated a central issue before the court.

The latest order does not itself establish that murder or any other offence took place. Instead, it directs the CBI to investigate the matter and determine, on the basis of evidence, whether a criminal case is made out.

What the CBI Has Been Asked to Do

The court has laid down several steps for the fresh investigation.

The CBI has been directed to record the statement of Satish Salian, register an FIR and appoint a senior officer to oversee the investigation. The Malvani Police Station has also been instructed to hand over the relevant records and documents to the central agency.

If the investigation produces evidence against any individual, appropriate action can be taken against that person.

However, the court has made it clear that nobody should be named as an accused without sufficient evidence.

This distinction is significant because the case has attracted considerable public attention and speculation over the years. The court’s direction places the focus firmly on what investigators can establish through evidence.

What Happens If the CBI Finds No Criminal Case?

The Bombay High Court has also addressed the possibility that the fresh investigation may not uncover enough evidence to establish a criminal offence.

In such a situation, the CBI has been directed to submit the appropriate summary report before the concerned court.

Satish Salian, meanwhile, has been given the liberty to challenge such a report if he believes the investigation has not adequately addressed his concerns.

His lawyer, Nilesh Ojha, welcomed the court’s order and said the family would have the right to raise objections if the CBI eventually submits a negative report.

Lawyer Says Family Had Raised Allegations Earlier

Speaking after the order, advocate Nilesh Ojha said the petitioner had previously alleged the involvement of influential individuals and some senior police officers. He also claimed that material had been placed before the court in support of the family’s concerns.

The lawyer argued that an FIR should have been registered earlier, referring to legal guidelines and previous judicial directions.

These remain allegations raised on behalf of the petitioner and will now have to be examined by the CBI during its investigation.

Why the Case Has Remained in the Spotlight

Disha Salian’s death has continued to draw public attention largely because of its timing.

She died on June 8, 2020, while Sushant Singh Rajput died only days later. The two deaths subsequently became the subject of intense public discussion and speculation.

However, the circumstances of the two deaths are separate matters, and the latest court order concerns the investigation into Disha Salian’s death.

The Bombay High Court’s decision now provides an opportunity for the circumstances surrounding her death to be examined afresh by the CBI.

Fresh Investigation to Focus on Evidence

The court’s order makes one point particularly clear: the fresh probe must be driven by evidence.

The CBI will examine the available records, record statements and investigate the circumstances surrounding Disha Salian’s death. If investigators find sufficient material indicating that an offence was committed, further legal action can follow.

On the other hand, if the investigation does not establish a criminal case, the agency will have to submit an appropriate report to the court.

For Disha Salian’s family, the development represents a significant new phase in their long-running effort to seek answers about what happened to her.

For the wider public, the case is likely to attract renewed attention. But with the investigation now moving to the CBI, the focus will ultimately be on evidence, findings and the conclusions reached through the legal process rather than speculation.

The Bombay High Court has therefore opened the door for a fresh examination of a case that has remained unresolved in the eyes of Disha Salian’s family for years, while also stressing that any person should be treated as an accused only when supported by sufficient evidence.

News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.