The Disha Salian case concerns the death of a 28-year-old celebrity manager who fell from a residential building in Malad, Mumbai, on the night of June 8, 2020. Mumbai Police initially registered an Accidental Death Report and later closed their inquiry after finding no evidence of foul play. Six years later, the Bombay High Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to register an FIR and investigate serious allegations raised by her father, Satish Salian.
The CBI FIR includes allegations involving murder, gang rape, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and misconduct by public servants. These are allegations under investigation. The FIR does not prove that the alleged offences occurred, and no person should be treated as guilty unless evidence is established through the investigation and court process.
Who was Disha Salian?
Disha Salian was a Mumbai-based celebrity and talent manager. She had worked with several entertainment personalities and had briefly handled publicity work connected with actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
This professional connection became the focus of widespread speculation after Rajput was found dead on June 14, 2020, six days after Disha's death. Mumbai Police said its inquiry had not established a criminal connection between the two deaths.
What happened on June 8, 2020?
Disha was staying with her fiance, Rohan Rai, at Flat No. 1202 in Regent Galaxy Apartments at Malwani, Malad West. Friends were reportedly present at the flat that evening.
During the intervening night of June 8 and 9, Disha fell from the building. She was taken to hospital and declared dead. Malwani Police registered an Accidental Death Report, commonly called an ADR, rather than a criminal FIR.
The original police inquiry concluded that she had died by suicide and found no evidence supporting claims of sexual assault or murder. Police also said CCTV footage and witness statements did not support claims that she had attended a party with politicians before her death.
Why did the case become controversial?
The timing of Sushant Singh Rajput's death brought national attention to Disha's case. Social media posts, television debates and political statements alleged that both deaths were connected. Claims about a political party, pregnancy, sexual assault, missing clothing and destroyed evidence circulated widely.
Mumbai Police said its evidence did not support those claims. The postmortem reportedly ruled out pregnancy, while statements collected during the inquiry contradicted the claim that Disha was found without clothes.
Disha's parents initially asked the public and media to stop spreading unverified stories about their daughter. Satish Salian later said the family had been in shock and that he began questioning the original conclusion after studying the records and circumstances more closely.
Why did Mumbai Police close the inquiry?
Mumbai Police closed the inquiry in 2021 after concluding that no evidence established foul play. Investigators said they examined the flat, CCTV footage, postmortem findings, witness statements and the allegations circulating at the time.
Police said Disha's friends told investigators that she was distressed about professional and financial issues. They also said they found no evidence that she had attended an outside political party before her death.
The police position remains that procedural delays may have occurred, but the available material did not show murder or a cover-up. Disha's father disputes this conclusion.
What did the Maharashtra SIT investigate?
In December 2023, the Maharashtra government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team after the issue was raised in the state Assembly. The SIT revisited the allegations and called people who had publicly claimed that foul play occurred.
According to officials cited in later reports, several people did not appear to record statements and the SIT did not uncover evidence that led to a criminal case. The inquiry did not produce a conclusion acceptable to Satish Salian.
What allegations did Disha's father make?
Satish Salian alleged that his daughter had been sexually assaulted and murdered and that her death was then presented as suicide. He also alleged that evidence had been suppressed or mishandled.
His complaint raised questions about:
- The delay in conducting the spot panchnama.
- The position and condition of Disha's body.
- Accounts concerning her clothes and injuries.
- The collection and preservation of forensic samples.
- The seizure of mobile phones, laptops and CCTV records.
- Medical and postmortem documentation.
- The conduct of police officers, doctors and other people connected with the inquiry.
These points form part of the complainant's case. The CBI must test each allegation against medical evidence, digital records, witness statements and the original police files.
Bombay High Court orders a CBI investigation
Satish Salian approached the Bombay High Court in 2025 after police did not register the criminal case he sought. During the proceedings, the court examined the handling of the earlier inquiry and noted significant discrepancies that required an independent investigation.
On September 2, 2026, the High Court directed the CBI to appoint an investigating officer, record the father's statement, register an FIR and investigate all relevant aspects of Disha's death.
The court did not declare that murder or sexual assault had occurred. It also cautioned that no person should be treated as an accused without sufficient material.
What does the new CBI FIR say?
The CBI recorded Satish Salian's statement on September 11, 2026. Its Special Crime Branch then registered a fresh FIR in September 2026.
The FIR refers to offences related to criminal conspiracy, gang rape, murder, destruction of evidence, providing false information to protect offenders and alleged misconduct by public servants. It records the father's allegations and the names of people whose conduct he wants investigated.
According to available reports, the CBI did not name anyone as an accused when registering the FIR. Registration allows the agency to collect evidence and investigate the allegations. It is not a finding of guilt.
Why is Aaditya Thackeray's name discussed?
Satish Salian has asked investigators to examine the alleged role of several public figures, including Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray. Thackeray says he never met Disha and had no acquaintance with her. He describes attempts to connect him with the case as politically motivated character assassination.
The FIR's reference to a person's name does not automatically make that person an accused. The High Court specifically stated that investigators must not treat anyone as an accused without supporting material.
On September 17, 2026, Satish Salian sent a legal notice demanding an apology and Rs 500 crore in damages from Aaditya Thackeray and former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh over statements concerning his pursuit of a fresh investigation.
Complete Disha Salian case timeline
- June 8-9, 2020: Disha Salian falls from the 12th floor of a Malad residential building and dies.
- June 2020: Malwani Police register an Accidental Death Report.
- June 14, 2020: Sushant Singh Rajput is found dead, leading to speculation about a connection between the cases.
- August 2020: Mumbai Police publicly reject claims that their inquiry established a link between the deaths.
- 2021: Mumbai Police close the Disha Salian inquiry after reporting no evidence of foul play.
- December 2023: The Maharashtra government forms an SIT to re-examine the case.
- March 2025: Satish Salian approaches the Bombay High Court seeking an independent investigation.
- September 2, 2026: The High Court directs the CBI to register an FIR and conduct a comprehensive probe.
- September 11, 2026: The CBI records Satish Salian's statement.
- September 2026: The CBI registers an FIR containing allegations of murder, gang rape, conspiracy and destruction of evidence.
- September 17, 2026: Satish Salian sends Rs 500 crore defamation notices to Aaditya Thackeray and Anil Deshmukh.
Was Disha Salian murdered?
Murder has not been established. Mumbai Police concluded that there was no evidence of foul play, while Disha's father alleges murder and a cover-up. The CBI must now conduct an independent investigation and determine whether evidence supports either account.
Was Disha Salian sexually assaulted?
The allegation of gang rape forms part of the father's complaint and the offences cited in the CBI FIR. It remains unproven. Investigators will need to evaluate medical records, forensic material and witness evidence before reaching any conclusion.
Is the case connected to Sushant Singh Rajput?
No official investigation has established a criminal connection between the two deaths. The timing and Disha's brief professional association with Rajput generated speculation, but speculation is not evidence.
Current status of the Disha Salian case
As of September 18, 2026, the CBI investigation is active. The agency can examine the original police and SIT files, CCTV records, devices, medical documents, forensic findings and witness statements.
The confirmed position is that Disha died after falling from the Malad building, Mumbai Police found no foul play, her father disputes that conclusion, and the High Court has ordered a fresh CBI investigation. The allegations against any individual remain unproven unless supported by evidence and determined through due legal process.