Aaditya Thackeray served ₹500 crore defamation notice at Matoshree in Disha Salian case
Synopsis
In a highly charged face-off at the Thackeray family's Bandra residence, Disha Salian's father personally handed a ₹500 crore defamation notice to Aaditya Thackeray's legal team — alleging intimidation was the reason he chose not to send it by post. With a seven-day apology deadline ticking and a police case already registered, this six-year-old controversy is heading back to centre stage in Maharashtra politics.
Key Takeaways
Satish Salian personally delivered a ₹500 crore defamation notice to Aaditya Thackeray outside Matoshree in Bandra, Mumbai on 19 September 2026 .
The notice demands an unconditional public apology within seven days over Aaditya Thackeray's social media remarks on the Disha Salian death case.
Failure to apologise will trigger a ₹500 crore compensation suit for defamation, according to advocate Nilesh Ojha .
Shiv Sena-UBT workers blocked access to Matoshree; Mumbai Police deployed heavy security and shut the main gates.
Satish Salian alleged his lawyers were threatened by associates of Aaditya Thackeray, which is why he chose personal delivery over postal service.
Aaditya Thackeray has denied ever knowing or meeting Disha Salian, calling the allegations politically motivated character assassination.
Shiv Sena-UBT legislator Aaditya Thackeray was served a ₹500 crore defamation notice outside Matoshree, the Bandra residence of party chief Uddhav Thackeray, on Saturday, 19 September 2026, in a dramatic sequence that drew heavy police deployment and political confrontation. Satish Salian, father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian, personally arrived at the address to deliver the notice, targeting remarks Aaditya Thackeray had allegedly made on social media regarding his daughter's death.
High Drama at Matoshree
The area outside the Thackeray family residence turned tense as scores of Shiv Sena-UBT workers gathered at the gates, raising protests and attempting to block Satish Salian and his legal team from approaching the property. Mumbai Police deployed heavy security and shut the main entrance to prevent any law-and-order breakdown. Senior Shiv Sena-UBT MP Anil Desai was also present at Matoshree during the standoff.
After a brief standoff at the gate, lawyers representing Aaditya Thackeray — Advocates Rahul Diwate and Anil Jadhav, arranged by former Maharashtra Minister Anil Parab — stepped forward to collect the notice. Aaditya Thackeray's legal representative signed the acknowledgment of receipt at the gate. His counsel clarified to media that the notice had been accepted as standard protocol, and that its contents had not yet been reviewed.
What the Notice Demands
The legal notice, served by Advocate Nilesh Ojha on behalf of Satish Salian, reportedly demands an unconditional public apology from Aaditya Thackeray within seven days over his recent social media statements concerning Disha Salian's death. Should no apology be forthcoming, the notice mandates the filing of a ₹500 crore compensation suit for defamation. The notice also reportedly targets remarks made by former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
Explaining the legal action, Advocate Ojha said: 'The notice requires Aaditya Thackeray to issue an apology, failing which a ₹500 crore compensation suit will be pursued. Everyone is equal under the Constitution, and we are invoking our constitutional rights to show that an ordinary citizen is no less than anyone else.'
Why Satish Salian Delivered It in Person
When journalists questioned him on why the notice was delivered personally rather than sent by post, Satish Salian alleged intimidation by associates linked to the Shiv Sena-UBT. 'I wanted to show them that they cannot intimidate us. Aaditya Thackeray's associates threatened my lawyers, telling them they wouldn't be able to enter the courtroom,' he said. Speaking to reporters before reaching Matoshree, Salian added: 'Nobody can control me except God. It took six years because the lawyers took time, but I am satisfied that the police have registered the case.'
Background: The Disha Salian Case and Political Allegations
Disha Salian, a celebrity talent manager, died on 8 June 2020 — just days before the passing of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Her death reignited public controversy when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Nitesh Rane, had previously raised allegations connecting Aaditya Thackeray to the circumstances of her death. Aaditya Thackeray has categorically denied ever knowing or meeting Disha Salian, dismissing those allegations as politically motivated character assassination. Both Aaditya and Uddhav Thackeray have publicly refuted all such claims.
This is the latest flashpoint in a long-running political controversy that has drawn in senior figures from multiple parties. With a seven-day deadline now running, the legal and political fallout is set to intensify in the days ahead.
Point of View
With party workers blocking access and police shutting the entrance — tells you this is as much about political signal as it is about legal remedy. A ₹500 crore defamation figure is eye-catching, but the more consequential detail is Satish Salian's claim that his lawyers were threatened: if substantiated, that allegation shifts this from civil dispute to something with potential criminal dimensions. Aaditya Thackeray's camp accepted the notice under 'standard protocol', which is legally prudent but politically awkward — the seven-day apology clock now runs publicly. With Maharashtra's political landscape already fractured, this case risks becoming another proxy battleground between the Thackeray factions and the BJP, at the cost of clarity for a grieving family that has waited six years for answers.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ₹500 crore defamation notice served on Aaditya Thackeray?
It is a legal notice served by Satish Salian, father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian, demanding an unconditional public apology from Shiv Sena-UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray within seven days over his social media remarks about Disha Salian's death. If no apology is tendered, a ₹500 crore compensation suit for defamation will be filed.
Why did Satish Salian deliver the notice in person at Matoshree?
Satish Salian said he chose personal delivery because he alleged that associates of Aaditya Thackeray had threatened his lawyers, warning them they would not be able to enter the courtroom. He stated he wanted to demonstrate that he could not be intimidated.
Who is Disha Salian and why does her death remain controversial?
Disha Salian was a celebrity talent manager who died on 8 June 2020, days before the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. BJP leaders, including Nitesh Rane, had previously levelled allegations linking Aaditya Thackeray to the circumstances of her death — allegations Aaditya Thackeray has firmly denied, calling them politically motivated.
What has Aaditya Thackeray said about the allegations?
Aaditya Thackeray has categorically denied ever knowing or meeting Disha Salian, dismissing all allegations as a politically motivated attempt at character assassination. His legal team accepted the notice on 19 September as standard protocol while stating they had not yet read its contents.
What happens next in the Disha Salian defamation case?
Aaditya Thackeray has seven days from the date of receipt to issue an unconditional apology. If he does not comply, Satish Salian's legal team has said it will file a ₹500 crore compensation suit. Satish Salian also confirmed that police have already registered a case in the matter.
