Bombay High Court Orders CBI Investigation into Disha Salian's Mysterious Death

Court's Directive for CBI Inquiry

The Bombay High Court has mandated a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the 2020 death of Disha Salian, who was the former manager of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. This pivotal ruling came from a bench led by Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale, who expressed their discontent with how the Mumbai Police managed the investigation, which has not provided satisfactory answers over the last six years.

The court's decision was prompted by a petition from Satish Salian, Disha's father, who has consistently raised questions about the details of his daughter's death. Disha tragically died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a building in Malad, Mumbai. Initially, local authorities classified her death as an Accidental Death Report (ADR), but the High Court noted that the police had ample opportunity to conduct a comprehensive investigation yet failed to file a First Information Report (FIR) for a cognizable offence.

Concerns Over Initial Investigation

Judicial Critique of the Initial Investigation

In a detailed 44-page judgment, the bench pointed out numerous inconsistencies in the police's investigation. They criticized the delayed execution of the spot panchnama and highlighted physical evidence that contradicted the initial assumption of an accidental fall. The judges raised concerns about the absence of blood at the scene and the lack of significant head injuries, making it challenging to align the nature of the fall with the minor injuries observed on the deceased. The court emphasized that these discrepancies warranted a more thorough and professional investigation.

Next Steps in the Legal Process

Legal Context and Next Steps

The High Court has instructed the Mumbai Police to promptly transfer all relevant case files to the CBI. The central agency is to appoint a senior officer with experience to oversee the investigation. Additionally, the CBI is required to take the statement of Satish Salian. Although the petitioner had previously requested an FIR against political figure Aaditya Thackeray, the court refrained from making any specific comments about individuals, stressing that it is up to the investigating agency to determine if there is enough evidence to identify any suspects.

The court clarified that no one should be presumed guilty unless the investigation yields sufficient evidence to support such a claim. Should the CBI conclude that no criminal activity took place, they must submit a summary report to the appropriate court, which the petitioner can contest. The court also recognized the emotional strain on the family, describing the case as a tragic loss that necessitates a transparent and thorough legal process.

This ruling comes in the broader context of the investigations into the deaths of both Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020. While the CBI was previously assigned to investigate Rajput's death, they filed a closure report last year indicating that the actor died by suicide, a matter still pending in court. The High Court's order signifies a crucial shift in the legal proceedings, transferring the investigation from local authorities to the central agency to address the longstanding uncertainties surrounding the case.