BJP's Ram Kadam questions why Disha Salian case was never referred to CBI, targets Aaditya Thackeray
Synopsis
Six-and-a-half years after Disha Salian's death, the case is back at the centre of Maharashtra politics. A ₹500 crore defamation notice from Salian's father to Aaditya Thackeray has handed the BJP fresh ammunition — with legislator Ram Kadam now demanding answers on why a CBI probe was blocked and alleging evidence tampering under the Uddhav Thackeray government.
Key Takeaways
BJP MLA Ram Kadam criticised Aaditya Thackeray on 18 September over the Disha Salian case.
Disha Salian's father has issued a ₹500 crore defamation notice to Aaditya Thackeray .
Kadam questioned why the previous Uddhav Thackeray government did not refer the case to the CBI despite the family's repeated requests.
He alleged police attempted to 'protect' Aaditya Thackeray and that evidence may have been tampered with.
Kadam also stated that 12 of 13 Maratha community demands have been met by the Devendra Fadnavis government; the 13th is under court jurisdiction.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Ram Kadam on Friday, 18 September sharply criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, questioning why the Disha Salian case was never handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) despite repeated demands from the deceased's family. Kadam's remarks came in response to Salian's father issuing a ₹500 crore defamation notice to Aaditya Thackeray.
Kadam's Allegations Against Aaditya Thackeray
Ram Kadam noted that it took Aaditya Thackeray six-and-a-half years to publicly deny any connection to the Disha Salian case. 'It took Aaditya Thackeray six-and-a-half years to say that he has no connection with it. Even if we assume he has no connection, what was there to fear? Why wasn't a proper investigation conducted?' Kadam said.
The BJP legislator further argued that the delay in seeking a CBI probe raises serious questions. 'Even when Disha's father repeatedly asked for the case to be handed over to the CBI, why wasn't it handed over? What was the reason behind it? They cannot deny all these points,' he added.
Allegations of Evidence Tampering and Political Cover
Kadam alleged that when Aaditya Thackeray's party was in power, police attempts to 'protect him' and alleged tampering with evidence placed the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader 'under speculation.' He questioned why the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government did not pursue justice for Disha Salian's family, asking, 'Who were they protecting?'
The Disha Salian case has remained politically charged in Maharashtra since her death in 2020, with opposition parties and the victim's family repeatedly calling for a CBI inquiry. The ₹500 crore defamation notice from Salian's father against Aaditya Thackeray has reignited the controversy ahead of the state's political calendar.
Maratha Reservation and OBC Quota
Responding to Congress concerns about the impact of the Maratha reservation on OBC quota holders, Kadam said the framing was misplaced. He credited Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with delivering the first Maratha reservation, saying 12 of 13 demands from the Maratha community had been fulfilled. The 13th demand, he noted, falls under court jurisdiction and is unlikely to be upheld legally. 'The people of Maharashtra understand that the current government stands with them,' Kadam said.
Remark on Swara Bhaskar
Kadam also responded to reports of actor Swara Bhaskar sending messages to fellow actors following the Ram Janmbhoomi verdict. Without elaborating, he dismissed such individuals as people who 'make absurd comments to stay in headlines,' saying they 'should not be entertained.'
With the ₹500 crore defamation notice now in play and the BJP pushing for a CBI inquiry, the Disha Salian case is set to remain a flashpoint in Maharashtra politics in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Reviving the Disha Salian narrative serves as pressure on the Shiv Sena (UBT) precisely when Aaditya Thackeray is consolidating his public profile. The allegation of evidence tampering under the previous government remains unsubstantiated in court, and the defamation notice itself has not been adjudicated. Mainstream coverage has largely treated this as a political exchange; the harder question — why the case remains unresolved six-and-a-half years on — has yet to be answered by any party in power.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Disha Salian case?
Disha Salian was a celebrity manager whose death in 2020 in Mumbai triggered widespread controversy, including political allegations involving figures linked to the Shiv Sena. Her family has repeatedly demanded a CBI inquiry, which has not been granted so far.
Why has Ram Kadam criticised Aaditya Thackeray over the Disha Salian case?
BJP MLA Ram Kadam questioned why Aaditya Thackeray took six-and-a-half years to deny any connection to the case, and why the previous Uddhav Thackeray government did not refer it to the CBI despite the family's requests. He alleged the delay and alleged police conduct placed Thackeray 'under speculation.'
What is the ₹500 crore defamation notice about?
Disha Salian's father has issued a ₹500 crore defamation notice to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. The notice forms the backdrop of the BJP's renewed criticism and demands for a proper investigation.
What did Kadam say about the Maratha reservation issue?
Kadam credited Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with granting the first Maratha reservation and said 12 of the 13 community demands have been fulfilled. He stated the 13th demand is a court matter and is unlikely to be legally sustainable.
What did Ram Kadam say about actor Swara Bhaskar?
Kadam dismissed Swara Bhaskar's reported messages to actors following the Ram Janmbhoomi verdict as attention-seeking behaviour, saying such individuals 'make absurd comments to stay in headlines' and should not be entertained.
