Mumbai – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formally registered a First Information Report (FIR) in the 2020 death of Disha Salian, the former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The FIR, filed on September 13, follows a high‑court directive that ordered a fresh, independent probe into the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death and the subsequent suicide of Rajput.
Background to the case
Disha Salian was discovered on June 8, 2020 after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai. Her death was initially recorded as an accident. A week later, on June 14, Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra flat, a death that was officially ruled a suicide. Salian’s father, Satish Salian, challenged the official narrative, filing a petition in the high court that alleged suspicious circumstances and demanded a murder investigation.
The high court, after reviewing the petition, criticised the Mumbai police for failing to file an FIR for more than six years and highlighted “glaring discrepancies” in the police investigation. The court also noted that the post‑mortem report and the accidental‑death report had not been handed over to Salian’s family, further fueling doubts about the adequacy of the initial probe.
CBI’s FIR and investigative roadmap
In compliance with the court’s order issued on September 2, the CBI lodged an FIR that refrains from naming any accused at this stage, stating that individuals will be listed only if evidence links them to the alleged offences. The agency’s official said the FIR was registered pursuant to the court’s direction and that the investigation will proceed methodically.
The FIR outlines a comprehensive investigative plan. CBI investigators are expected to begin by reviewing all documentary evidence and allegations presented in the case. They will record statements from a range of witnesses, including police personnel who handled the original inquiry, and will also interview the autopsy and forensic officials involved in the post‑mortem examination.
Technical analysis of the crime scene, along with examinations of key witnesses, is slated to follow. The agency has indicated that it will scrutinise the building’s security footage and interview the security guards on duty at the time of Salian’s death. The aim, according to the FIR, is to identify any possible tampering, suppression or fabrication of evidence that could have altered the course of the original investigation.
Allegations against public servants and police officers
The FIR specifically alleges that certain public servants and police officers may have engaged in the destruction or suppression of case papers, fabrication of official records, and misuse of public funds, manpower and police machinery for unlawful purposes. It further accuses them of shielding the alleged perpetrators.
Among the individuals whose roles are highlighted for investigation are a number of high‑profile political and entertainment figures, as well as senior police officials. The list includes:
- Aaditya Thackeray
- Rohan Roy
- Dino Morea
- Sooraj Pancholi
- Aaditya Thackeray’s bodyguards
- Rhea Chakraborty and Showik Chakraborty
- Sachin Vaze
- Param Bir Singh
- DCP Vishal Thakur
- Uddhav Thackeray
- Anil Deshmukh
- API Ashok Devadhe
- PI Jagdev Kalapad
- PI Shailendra Nagarkar
- PI Chimaji Adhav
- PI Arjun Rajane
- Concerned officers of Malvani Police Station
The inclusion of these names stems from allegations made by Satish Salian’s advocate, Nilesh Ojha. According to Ojha, Salian possessed information about alleged illegal activities involving Aaditya Thackeray, which she shared with Sushant Singh Rajput. The claim further states that Rajput discussed the information with Rhea Chakraborty, after which it was passed on to Aaditya Thackeray. The advocate contends that this chain of communication led to an “offence and cover‑up” that the FIR now seeks to investigate.
Leadership of the investigation
The CBI has assigned an officer who previously handled the high‑profile RG Kar case to head the investigation into the Disha Salian FIR. While the agency has not disclosed the officer’s name, the appointment underscores the seriousness with which the CBI is treating the matter, given the officer’s experience with complex, politically sensitive inquiries.
By appointing a seasoned investigator, the CBI signals its intention to pursue the case with a level of rigor comparable to other major investigations. The agency has also reiterated that no individual will be formally accused unless concrete evidence emerges during the course of the probe.
Next steps and potential implications
Following the filing of the FIR, CBI teams are expected to commence field operations within days. Their tasks will include securing and analysing forensic evidence, re‑examining the autopsy report, and cross‑checking the statements recorded by the Mumbai police during the initial investigation.
The high court’s earlier criticism of the Mumbai police and its insistence on a transparent, evidence‑based process could shape the trajectory of the case. If the CBI uncovers substantive proof of misconduct by any of the listed individuals, it may result in formal charges, further court hearings, and possibly a broader inquiry into systemic failures within the Mumbai police department.
For the families of Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput, the renewed investigation represents a long‑awaited opportunity for clarity. The court’s directive that the post‑mortem and accidental‑death reports be shared with Salian’s family has already addressed one of the key grievances raised in the petition.
As the investigation unfolds, observers will be watching closely to see whether the FIR’s broad scope leads to actionable findings or whether it remains a procedural step without substantive outcomes. The involvement of high‑profile political figures and senior police officers ensures that the case will continue to attract public and media attention, potentially influencing broader discussions about accountability and transparency in law‑enforcement investigations in India.
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