Target Thackeray? Bombay High Court Sets April 2 Hearing for Disha Salian Death Case

The Bombay High Court has scheduled a hearing on April 2, 2025, for a writ petition filed by Satish Salian, father of the late Disha Salian, seeking a fresh investigation into his daughter’s death.

The petition, which has stirred controversy, demands the registration of an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and others, alongside a transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Disha Salian, a former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died on June 8, 2020, after reportedly falling from the 14th floor of a building in Mumbai’s Malad area. Initially classified as an accidental death by Mumbai Police, the case has resurfaced with Salian’s father alleging foul play, including claims of gang rape and murder, and implicating Thackeray, actors Sooraj Pancholi, and Dino Morea.

Thackeray has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated defamation, asserting his stance will be clarified in court.

The petition also names former Narcotics Control Bureau officer Sameer Wankhede, with his advocate, Faizan Merchant, confirming a detailed affidavit will be filed in response. Maharashtra’s junior home minister, Yogesh Kadam, assured the state assembly on March 20 that the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, formed in 2023, will be expedited, promising strict action based on court directives.

The April 2 hearing before Justice Mohite Dere in courtroom 43 could mark a pivotal moment in unraveling the circumstances of Salian’s death, amid heightened political and public scrutiny.