Disha Salian's father's statement recorded as CBI begins probe into her death

Satish had previously stated he suspected no foul play but later sought a probe, leading to the high court's order for a CBI investigation.

Ten days after the Bombay high court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the death of celebrity manager Disha Salian, the central agency on Friday recorded the statement of her father Satish Salian, as the first step in their investigation.

CBI on Friday recorded the statement of Disha Salian's father Satish Salian, as the first step in their investigation. (Raju Shinde/HT Photo)

After recording his statement at the CBI office in Bandra Kurla Complex, Salian said, “I have recorded my statement with the CBI and you can learn about it tomorrow. I have spoken about those who were involved.”

His lawyer, advocate Nilesh Ojha claimed that in Salian’s statement, he gave additional information apart from what was submitted to the Bombay High Court and his statement will become part of the CBI’s FIR. “The key points in the statement were that Disha Salian was gang-raped and then murdered, and there was a cover-up to hide the crimes, in which some then police officers were also involved,” Ojha said, alleging that several high-profile individuals and a former policeman had played a role in the case.

Disha, 24, died after falling from a 12th floor flat in Malad on June 9, 2020. The Malwani police registered an accidental death report in connection with the incident and on inquiry concluded that it was a suicide and there was no evidence suggesting any foul play in it.

Initially, Satish Salian and his wife too maintained that they did not suspect any foul play in the death of their daughter and specifically said so in their statements given to the Malwani police. However, last year, Salian approached the high court, seeking independent probe into the incident claiming that his daughter had been raped and murdered.

Acting on his petition, the high court on September 2 ordered a CBI probe in the case after finding that the ADR inquiry was inadequate and noticing certain discrepancies in the inquiry report.