The Bombay High Court has passed a major judgment in the suspicious death case of former celebrity manager Disha Salian, handing over the responsibility of a fresh investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation. A division bench comprising Justice Sarang Kotwal and Justice Ranjitsinh Raja Bhosale directed the central agency to formally register an FIR and commence a comprehensive inquiry. This judicial order fundamentally shifts the legal proceedings surrounding the four-year-old case.
High Court Directives and Framework for the CBI Investigation
Under the instructions handed down by the high court bench, the CBI must first officially record the detailed statement of the deceased's father, Satish Salian. Additionally, the division bench granted explicit legal liberty to the family, allowing them to challenge the central agency's final conclusions or investigation report in court if they remain unsatisfied with the outcome. This mandate offers significant procedural relief to the family in their quest for justice.
The Events of June 8, 2020, and Initial Police Action
The tragedy dates back to June 8, 2020, when Disha Salian died after falling under suspicious circumstances from the 14th floor of a high-rise residential building in the Malad suburb of Mumbai. Immediately following the incident, local police filed an Accidental Death Report and initiated a preliminary inquiry. Following their initial questioning and assessment, local authorities concluded that the death was a suicide and moved toward closing the case file.
Father's Petition, Legal Arguments by Nilesh Ojha, and Specific Allegations
Rejecting the police's suicide conclusion, the victim's father, Satish Salian, moved the Bombay High Court. Represented by advocate Nilesh Ojha, the petitioner questioned the impartiality of the initial police investigation, alleging that his daughter suffered a heinous crime prior to being murdered. The petition further claimed that political influence was exerted following the June 2020 event to suppress facts and tamper with crucial evidence. Satish Salian specifically requested an FIR against Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray and sought an independent probe by the CBI.
Judicial Relief and Next Steps for the Aggrieved Family
After a prolonged legal struggle spanning four years, the high court directive reopens the investigation under an independent federal agency. The formal registration of an FIR by the CBI will pave the way for re-examining eyewitness testimony, forensic details, and the timeline of events. The court's procedural safeguards ensure accountability and provide a structured legal pathway for the aggrieved family.
