Disha Salian Death Case Gets a Fresh FIR, Old Questions Return With New Charges

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a fresh FIR in connection with the 2020 death of Disha Salian, the former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, following direction from the Bombay High Court to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. The FIR was registered on September 13 by the CBI Special Crime Branch, naming Disha father, Satish Ishwar Salian, as the complainant. It invokes provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy, gang rape, murder, destruction of evidence, providing false information to screen offender and alleged misconduct by public servant. The case follows a September 2 order of the Bombay High Court directing the CBI to appoint an investigating officer, record Satish Salian’s statement and register an FIR. The court also directed the investigating officer to examine all aspects surrounding the circumstances of Disha Salian death. According to the FIR, Satish Salian statement was recorded on September 11, after which the case was formally registered. The place of occurrence has been recorded as Flat No. 1202, Regent Galaxy Apartment in Malwani, Malad West, Mumbai. The FIR states that the alleged incident occurred during the intervening night of June 8 and June 9, 2020. Disha Salian, who was 28 at the time, died in June 2020 after allegedly falling from a building in Malad. Malwani police had initially recorded the incident as a case of accidental death. Father Raises Questions Over Circumstances of Death In his statement reproduced in the FIR, Satish Salian said the family was initially informed that his daughter had died by suicide. He said he was in a state of severe shock and questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident. The complainant has also raised questions about when he was shown his daughter body and alleged that he was subsequently shown photographs at the Malwani police station. He claimed that he noticed what he considered inconsistencies, including the absence of blood or multiple visible injuries. According to the FIR, Satish Salian said he was persuaded at the time to accept the explanation that Disha had consumed alcohol and accidentally fallen from the building. The FIR also records allegations concerning CCTV footage, the reported position of the body after the fall, clothing related records, forensic swabs, mobile phone seizure documents, and medical and post mortem record. These claims are part of the complainant statement and have not been independently established. The CBI investigation will determine what, if any, evidentiary basis exists for the allegations. Allegations of Conspiracy and Evidence Suppression The FIR records allegations concerning several public figures, police officers, doctors, forensic personnel, security guards and other individuals whose roles, according to the complainant, require investigation. Satish Salian has alleged that his daughter possessed sensitive information involving influential individuals and that a conspiracy was allegedly formed to silence her. He has further alleged that evidence was suppressed or fabricated and that a false narrative concerning her death was created. The FIR record these claim as allegations made by the complainant, their validity remains to be examined through the investigation and subsequent legal proceeding. Connection With Sushant Singh Rajput Case Disha Salian death occurred only days before Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence in June 2020. The two deaths subsequently became the subject of intense public and political debate, with various allegations and theories circulating over their possible connection. Salian had worked as a celebrity manager and had also worked with Sushant Singh Rajput. However, claims linking the two deaths have remained contentious and should be distinguished from facts established through official investigations or judicial findings. CBI Probe to Examine Earlier Records With the registration of the FIR, the CBI investigation is expected to examine the material cited by the complainant along with earlier police records, medical and forensic documentation, witness statements, CCTV footage and other evidence connected with the case. The invocation of serious IPC provisions in the FIR represents the legal allegations being investigated; it does not it self establish that the alleged offences occurred or that any named individual is guilty. The findings of the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings will determine how the allegation are legally assessed.