Former minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday issued a sharp denial over a fresh first information report (FIR) linking him to the 2020 death of celebrity manager Disha Salian, calling the move a deliberate attempt at “character assassination” driven by political motives.
“Let’s cut through the noise and talk facts, once again: I have never met or known Disha Salian. Linking my name to this tragic case constantly is a deliberate, evidence-free attempt at character assassination by a few individuals with clear political and personal motives, for almost 6 years,” Aaditya said in a statement on X.
This was his first reaction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registering a fresh FIR on September 13 following the Bombay high court’s ruling on September 2. The FIR, which is based on a complaint filed by Disha’s father, Satish Salian, claims that she was gang raped, murdered, and that an elaborate effort was made to cover up the crime.
Disha, who briefly worked with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died after falling from the 12th floor of a building in Malad at about 2.25am on June 9, 2020. The Malwani police registered an accidental death report in connection with the incident, concluded that it was a suicide and ruled out foul play. A Special Investigation Team set up by the Eknath Shinde-led government in December 2023 also found no foul play in Disha’s death.
‘Relentless smear campaign’
{{/usCountry}}Disha, who briefly worked with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died after falling from the 12th floor of a building in Malad at about 2.25am on June 9, 2020. The Malwani police registered an accidental death report in connection with the incident, concluded that it was a suicide and ruled out foul play. A Special Investigation Team set up by the Eknath Shinde-led government in December 2023 also found no foul play in Disha’s death.
‘Relentless smear campaign’
{{/usCountry}}Aaditya said there had been a “relentless smear campaign run by vested interests without a single shred of evidence and truth is highly unfortunate”.
“Loud TV debates and media trials do not change the facts. Let the official re-investigation proceed without malicious distractions and character assassination for political motives,” Aaditya said, stressing that such political manoeuvres would not deter him from fighting for the truth.
“We always will, stand by the truth, and fight for it,” he said.
What the FIR says
The FIR, based on Satish’s statement, also alleged that Aaditya’s father, Uddhav Thackeray, the then Maharashtra chief minister, and others “played a significant role in the conspiracy and subsequent cover-up”. It also accused public servants and police officers of destroying or suppressing case papers, files, and other public records; fabricating official records; and misusing public funds, manpower, and police machinery to shield the offenders.
Satish Salian’s complaint also sought an investigation into the role played by several politicians and police officers, including Aaditya Thackeray, Disha’s then fiancé Rohan Roy, Bollywood actors Dino Morea and Sooraj Pancholi, the then girlfriend of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Rhea Chakraborty, her brother, ex- police officer Sachin Vaze, then Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, DCP Vishal Thakur and then state home minister Anil Deshmukh.
To be sure, being named in the FIR does not, by itself, mean that any of these individuals has been made an accused. HT has accessed the FIR details.