Bombay High Court orders CBI probe into Disha Salian's death; father breaks down
Synopsis
After six years of disputed findings and a family's relentless legal push, the Bombay High Court has ordered the CBI to investigate Disha Salian's 2020 death — the first judicial directive of its kind in the case. Her father, who says he has not cried since the day she died, broke down saying he will finally shed tears now that an FIR has been filed.
Key Takeaways
The Bombay High Court ordered a CBI investigation into the death of Disha Salian on 2 September 2026 .
Disha died on 8 June 2020 after allegedly falling from a building in Malad, Mumbai — six days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death.
Mumbai Police had concluded her death was a suicide; her father Satish Salian has disputed this, alleging assault and murder.
The court stressed that no one should be treated as an accused without sufficient evidence.
Satish said he had held back tears for six years and would finally cry now that an FIR has been filed.
The Bombay High Court on 2 September 2026 ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Disha Salian, a Mumbai-based celebrity manager who died on 8 June 2020 after allegedly falling from a residential building in Malad, Mumbai. The court, while issuing the order, stressed that no individual should be treated as an accused without sufficient evidence.
Father's Emotional Reaction
Satish Salian, Disha's father, broke down after hearing the court's directive, saying he had held back his tears for over six years. 'I have 100% hope that the truth will come out. It's a battle of about 6 years. I had said that I won't cry, until the FIR is filed. Today, when the FIR is filed, I will go home and cry. I will shed tears. I am sure that her soul will find peace when I shed tears. I haven't cried since the day she passed away,' he said.
Satish also spoke about the toll the prolonged fight had taken on his family, noting that Disha's mother 'is not in the correct mindspace' and has turned to faith. He expressed conviction that those responsible would face consequences, adding, 'We don't give punishment, the higher powers give.'
Background: What Happened to Disha Salian
Disha Salian, who had briefly worked as a manager for actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died on 8 June 2020 — six days before Rajput's own death. Mumbai Police initially registered the case as an accidental death and later concluded it was a suicide, finding no evidence of foul play. However, Disha's father disputed those findings, alleging she was sexually assaulted and murdered — claims that have not been established in any court proceeding.
Her death drew widespread public attention largely because of its proximity to Rajput's death, which itself became one of the most contested cases in recent Indian legal history. This is the first time a court has ordered a CBI inquiry specifically into Disha Salian's death.
The Six-Year Legal Battle
Satish credited two individuals — identified only as Ashutosh and Nilesh — as the driving forces behind the legal campaign. 'In my fight, Ashutosh and Nilesh, they were the main ones. I couldn't do anything without them,' he said. He described years of scepticism from those around him: 'People say, 'What are you doing? Nothing is going to happen.' Today, the court said that they will issue an order at 11 o'clock. All those people will get their answer.'
When asked whether the family would approach the Supreme Court if the outcome was unfavourable, Satish indicated he was not ready to address that possibility yet, saying, 'We will talk about this later.'
What Happens Next
With the CBI now mandated to investigate, the case enters a new phase after more than six years. The court's caveat — that nobody should be treated as an accused without sufficient evidence — signals a measured approach. Legal observers note that CBI investigations in high-profile cases can take months to yield chargesheets. Satish, however, remains confident: 'If it doesn't come in our favour then whose favour will it come? The ones who did wrong?'
Point of View
But it is not a verdict — and that distinction matters. Mumbai Police closed the case as a suicide six years ago; the CBI now inherits a cold trail and a politically charged atmosphere shaped by the Sushant Singh Rajput controversy. The court's explicit caution against treating anyone as an accused before evidence is established suggests awareness of how easily this case can slide from investigation into trial-by-narrative. Whether the CBI can deliver a credible, evidence-based inquiry — insulated from the noise that has surrounded both deaths since 2020 — is the real test ahead.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Bombay High Court order regarding Disha Salian's death?
On 2 September 2026, the Bombay High Court ordered the CBI to investigate the circumstances of Disha Salian's death. The court also stressed that no individual should be treated as an accused without sufficient evidence.
Who was Disha Salian and how did she die?
Disha Salian was a Mumbai-based celebrity manager who had briefly worked with actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She died on 8 June 2020 after allegedly falling from a residential building in Malad, Mumbai. Mumbai Police concluded her death was a suicide, finding no evidence of foul play.
Why has Satish Salian disputed the police findings?
Satish Salian, Disha's father, has alleged that she was sexually assaulted and murdered — claims that have not been established in any court proceeding. He has contested the Mumbai Police's suicide conclusion and pursued legal action for over six years.
Why is Disha Salian's case linked to Sushant Singh Rajput?
Disha Salian died six days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death in June 2020. She had briefly worked as his manager, and the proximity of the two deaths fuelled widespread public speculation, though no established legal connection between the two cases has been found.
What happens now that the CBI has been ordered to investigate?
The CBI will now take over the investigation into Disha Salian's death. CBI probes in high-profile cases typically take several months before chargesheets are filed. The court's order marks the first judicial directive specifically mandating a CBI inquiry into her death.
