Disha Salian's father claims solid evidence in CBI FIR naming Aaditya Thackeray
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Satish Salian, father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian, on Monday, 14 September reaffirmed his position that his daughter's death was not an accident but a premeditated murder — and insisted he holds concrete evidence against the high-profile individuals now named in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR registered in New Delhi. The CBI filed the case following a Bombay High Court directive to probe the 2020 death, naming Maharashtra Legislative Assembly member Aaditya Thackeray, actors Dino Morea and Rhea Chakraborty, and several other prominent persons.
CBI FIR and Key Charges
The CBI registered the FIR on charges of gangrape, murder, and criminal conspiracy, acting on the High Court's direction. The case concerns the death of Disha Salian — formerly the manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput — who died on 8 June 2020 after falling from a residential building in Malad, Mumbai. Police at the time had recorded an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and classified the incident as suicide, but her father has consistently maintained she was gang-raped and murdered.
What Satish Salian Said
'Yes, I have solid evidence against those people,' Satish Salian said when asked whether he holds concrete proof against the names cited in the CBI FIR. He elaborated on the list of persons he has named before the agency: 'I have taken the names of Aaditya Thackeray and his bodyguard, Sooraj Pancholi, Dino Morea, Sachin Waze, Param Bir Singh, and in the cover-up, Rhea Chakraborty before the CBI.' He did not specify the nature of the evidence at this stage.
Alleged Link to Sushant Singh Rajput's Death
Satish Salian also alleged a direct connection between his daughter's death and that of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who died on 14 June 2020 — six days after Disha. 'Yes, there is a connection. Disha's death was followed by Sushant Singh Rajput planning to hold a press conference, during which he used to say, "Now they will kill me too,"' he told reporters, attributing the remark to the late actor. The father suggested Rajput had reportedly intended to 'reveal the truth' despite anticipating a similar fate.
Phone Seizure Allegation by Counsel
Nilesh Ojha, counsel in the Disha Salian case, further alleged that her mobile phone was illegally retained and its data extracted after her death. 'On 9 June, Disha's mobile phone was retained and operated by Sachin Waze, Aaditya Thackeray, and others. They kept the phone in their possession until 17 June, after which it was officially shown as 'seized'. During this period, they extracted data to identify who Disha had contacted, who the potential witnesses were, who knew their secrets, and where their vulnerabilities lay,' Ojha said. These are allegations that have not been independently verified and are being investigated by the CBI.
What Happens Next
With the CBI FIR now registered and a Bombay High Court mandate in place, the case enters a formal investigative phase. All persons named in the FIR are at this stage alleged accused — none have been convicted. The investigation is expected to examine call records, witness testimony, and the chain of custody of Disha Salian's mobile phone, among other evidence. The case has reignited public debate over accountability and alleged institutional cover-up in high-profile deaths.