The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the death of Disha Salian, the former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area. Her death, which occurred days before Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has remained the subject of public and legal scrutiny.
The order was passed by a bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale on a petition filed by Salian’s father, Satish Salian. He had alleged lapses in the Mumbai Police investigation and sought a fresh probe by the central agency.
The High Court directed the Mumbai Police to hand over all case records and documents to the CBI. The agency has also been asked to record Satish Salian’s statement and appoint a senior officer to lead the investigation.
The court, however, made it clear that no individual should be treated as an accused unless the investigation uncovers sufficient material against that person.
The bench further observed that if the CBI finds no evidence of a criminal offence, it must submit an appropriate summary report before the competent court. Salian’s father will have the liberty to challenge such a report.
The court’s order comes more than six years after Disha Salian’s death and marks a major shift in the investigation, which was earlier handled by the Mumbai Police.
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