In a landmark judgment delivered six years after the tragic event, the Bombay High Court has officially ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe into the death of celebrity manager Disha Salian. Recognizing the gravity of the matter and the persistent concerns raised by her family, the High Court directed the central agency to register a fresh First Information Report (FIR) and launch a comprehensive re-investigation. As part of its explicit instructions, the court directed the CBI to immediately record the detailed statement of Satish Salian, the deceased's father. Disha Salian had tragically died on June 8, 2020, in the Malad area of Mumbai, triggering widespread speculation, legal challenges, and political debate. The High Court's ruling on September 2, 2026, marks a pivotal turning point in a case that has remained shrouded in controversy for years.
Bombay High Court Order and Scope of CBI Investigation
Under the mandates of the Bombay High Court ruling issued on September 2, 2026, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now tasked with re-examining every piece of evidence and evaluating all surrounding circumstances connected to Disha Salian's death. The High Court has laid down a clear procedural pathway for the federal agency, specifying that the initial phase of the probe must center on recording the formal statement of her father, Satish Salian. This recorded statement will form the foundation for lodging an official FIR, after which CBI investigators will collect physical and testimonial evidence. Legal counsel representing Satish Salian welcomed the decision, asserting that a central agency probe is crucial to uncover facts that were allegedly overlooked or suppressed during the initial inquiries conducted by local authorities.
In statements made following the court order, the lawyer representing Satish Salian publicly named several high-profile individuals who will be sought to be named as accused in the FIR. These names include Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, actor Sooraj Pancholi, actor Dino Morea, Aaditya Thackeray's personal bodyguard, and Rhea Chakraborty, alongside other influential figures. The petitioner's legal team contends that powerful individuals exerted influence to derail the original investigation and cover up vital aspects of the case. Satish Salian has steadfastly maintained that his daughter's death was not a simple accident or suicide, but rather the result of a calculated criminal conspiracy. With the CBI taking charge, the family expressed renewed hope that an impartial inquiry will finally bring the unvarnished truth to light.
The Fatal Incident of June 8, 2020, and Early Police Actions
Disha Salian died on the night of June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a high-rise residential building in Mumbai's Malad neighborhood. She was 28 years old at the time of her passing. On that evening, Disha was inside her Malad flat in the company of several friends. Upon receiving information regarding the fall, Mumbai Police personnel arrived at the scene and initially registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR). On June 9, 2020, investigating officers conducted detailed interrogations of the friends present in the flat during the incident. At that stage, friends reportedly told police that Disha had been experiencing emotional stress, leading law enforcement to initially rule out foul play or criminal conspiracy.
By June 10, 2020, Mumbai Police issued an official statement asserting that no evidence of criminal conspiracy had been uncovered in connection with the fall. Following subsequent investigative steps over the next few months, police formally concluded that the death was a case of suicide. Police authorities further stated that forensic and medical examinations yielded no proof of sexual assault or foul play. In October 2020, after completing an initial probe spanning approximately three months, Mumbai Police officially closed the case file as a suicide. However, this conclusion failed to satisfy Disha's family and members of the public. Widespread outrage erupted across social media platforms, with citizens alleging that the investigation had been wrapped up prematurely, keeping the case alive in public discourse.
The Sushant Singh Rajput Connection and the Six-Day Gap
The circumstances surrounding Disha Salian's death took a dramatic turn just six days later when renowned Hindi cinema actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020. The 34-year-old actor was found hanging in his apartment, sending shockwaves across the nation. The remarkably brief six-day interval separating the two deaths fueled intense public scrutiny. Because Disha Salian had previously served as Sushant Singh Rajput's celebrity manager, observers quickly linked the two incidents, questioning whether a common thread connected both tragedies.
Following the news of Sushant Singh Rajput's death on June 15, 2020, public demand for a deeper investigation into Disha Salian's demise intensified. Families of both deceased individuals raised suspicions of foul play, alleging murder conspiracies rather than self-harm. On June 20, 2020, Mumbai Police issued another clarification, reiterating their finding that Disha's death was a suicide and maintaining that no evidence linked her demise to Sushant's death. Despite official denials, public debate persisted, with commentators and legal representatives arguing that the proximity of the dates demanded a comprehensive and independent evaluation of both cases.
Who Was Disha Salian? Life and Career Journey
Disha Salian was born on May 26, 1992, in Udupi, a coastal town in Karnataka. Her family subsequently relocated to Mumbai, where she completed her schooling and went on to earn a degree in Mass Media. Upon completing her higher education, Disha began her career as a freelance reporter before securing a position as a researcher at a prominent media firm. Her passion for the entertainment industry eventually led her to transition into talent management and celebrity public relations.
At the time of her death, Disha was employed with Cornerstone, a premier celebrity talent management agency owned by Bunty. Cornerstone managed high-profile personalities across the Indian entertainment sector. The agency's client roster included celebrated comedian Bharti Singh, actress Rhea Chakraborty, actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and actor Varun Sharma. As an executive at Cornerstone, Disha was assigned to manage Sushant Singh Rajput's professional engagements, working closely with the actor during her tenure at the firm.
On a personal level, Disha Salian was engaged to television actor Rohan Rai. The couple had been in a relationship for seven years and were actively planning to finalize their court marriage. Prior to the tragic event, Disha had moved into Rohan Rai's Malad apartment, where the couple resided together as they prepared for their upcoming wedding.
Complete Chronology of Events (2020 to 2026)
The legal and investigative journey of the Disha Salian case spans several critical milestones over six years. The detailed timeline of events unfolds as follows
- June 8, 2020: 28-year-old Disha Salian dies under mysterious circumstances after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Malad, Mumbai.
- June 9, 2020: Mumbai Police question friends present in the flat at the time of the incident and record their initial statements.
- June 10, 2020: Police rule out criminal conspiracy, treating the fall as an accidental death.
- June 14, 2020: Actor Sushant Singh Rajput is found dead in his Mumbai apartment, six days after Disha's death.
- June 15, 2020: Public interest in Disha Salian's case reignites rapidly following Sushant Singh Rajput's death.
- June 20, 2020: Mumbai Police reiterate that Disha's death was a suicide and deny any connection to Sushant's death.
- October 2020: Mumbai Police officially close the investigation after three months, ruling the death a suicide.
- 2023: Authorities reopen the case amidst public pressure and constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a fresh look.
- June 2024: BJP leader Nitesh Rane makes public claims alleging murder and points fingers at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray.
- March 19, 2025: Satish Salian files a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking a CBI probe and an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray and others.
- September 2, 2026: The Bombay High Court orders the CBI to register an FIR and take over the complete investigation into the case.
Political Fallout and High-Profile Allegations
Beyond its legal dimensions, Disha Salian's death became a flashpoint in Maharashtra politics over the years. Satish Salian persistently voiced dissatisfaction with the initial police investigation, alleging that law enforcement agencies acted under political pressure to shield influential figures. His decision to approach the judiciary stemmed from a desire for an independent probe by a federal agency free from local political interference.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has been central to the political controversy surrounding the case. Political opponents and the victim's family lawyer have repeatedly named him in connection with alleged cover-ups. However, Aaditya Thackeray has consistently refuted all allegations, describing them as a politically motivated smear campaign orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to damage his public standing. Following the High Court's directive transferring the probe to the CBI on September 2, 2026, political sparring has intensified once again, setting the stage for significant legal and political developments in the days ahead.
