The Bombay High Court on Wednesday, 2 September ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a fresh probe into the death of Disha Salian, former manager of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who died in June 2020. The court's directive comes after a petition filed by her father, Satish Salian, alleging serious lapses by the Mumbai Police in its handling of the case.

What the Court Directed

The High Court issued a multi-point directive to the CBI, instructing it to record the petitioner's statement, register a First Information Report (FIR), appoint a senior officer to lead the investigation, and take custody of all relevant records from Malvani Police Station. The court also clarified that no individual should be treated as an accused unless the investigating officer finds sufficient material against them during the course of the probe.

Significantly, the court noted that if the CBI files a closure report at any stage, the petitioner retains the right to object and file a protest petition — a procedural safeguard that gives the Salian family continued legal standing.

What the Family and Counsel Said

Advocate Nilesh Ojha, counsel for Satish Salian, said outside the court: 'The court has made it clear that action must be taken against anyone against whom evidence is found. At the same time, no person should be named as an accused without evidence. It has also clarified that if the CBI files a closure report, we will have the right to object and file a protest petition. We have full faith that truth will prevail.'

Ojha had earlier alleged that influential individuals and certain senior police officers were involved in suppressing the case, despite legal provisions that mandate FIR registration.

Disha's father Satish Salian expressed relief and resolve after the order. 'It has been a six-year fight. I always had faith that the truth would come out. Action should be taken against whoever is found guilty. Anyone who has done wrong must face the consequences,' he said.

Background: Disha Salian's Death

Disha Salian died on 8 June 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Malad, Mumbai. Her death preceded that of Sushant Singh Rajput by just days, and the two cases became intertwined in public discourse and political debate in the months that followed. The Mumbai Police had investigated her death, but the Salian family contended that the probe was inadequate and that crucial evidence may have been suppressed.

Why This Order Matters

This comes amid years of persistent demands from the Salian family for a credible, independent investigation. The CBI — which had already been tasked with probing Sushant Singh Rajput's death — will now also formally examine the circumstances surrounding Disha Salian's passing. Notably, the court's insistence on evidence-based naming of accused persons signals a calibrated approach, seeking accountability without prejudging outcomes. The order marks a significant escalation after what the family describes as a six-year legal battle against institutional inertia.