Disha Salian death case: Bombay HC orders CBI inquiry

Why did the Bombay High Court order a reinvestigation into Disha Salian's death?

The Bombay High Court ordered a fresh probe because the initial police investigation contained "too many glaring discrepancies" that left more questions than answers. In their ruling issued on 2 September, Judges Sarang V Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale noted that the original investigation, which spanned over six years across two phases, failed to meet the necessary standards of a criminal inquiry.

The court highlighted several critical failures in the handling of the case by local authorities. Most notably, the police had treated the incident merely as a suspicious or unnatural death rather than registering a First Information Report (FIR), which is the mandatory legal document required when information regarding a crime is received. This procedural omission significantly impacted the depth and direction of the early stages of the inquiry.

Specific discrepancies cited by the court

Beyond the failure to register an FIR, the judges pointed to physical and procedural inconsistencies that undermined the original suicide theory. These include:

• Lack of forensic evidence: The court noted that no blood was discovered at the site where the body had fallen from the 12th floor.
• Inconsistent medical findings: The injuries documented in the post-mortem report did not appear to align with the mechanics of a fall from a significant height.
• Administrative delays: The judges criticized unexplained delays in the processing of essential police paperwork.

By highlighting these points, the court signaled that the previous conclusions regarding the cause of death were not sufficiently supported by the available evidence.

What are the specific allegations made by Satish Salian?

Satish Salian, the father of the deceased, alleges that his daughter was the victim of a gang rape and murder orchestrated to silence her regarding the activities of powerful individuals. These allegations form the core of the new FIR recently registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following a written complaint from the victim's father.

According to the court order, the allegations suggest that Disha Salian, while working at Kwan Entertainment, became aware of "objectionable activities" involving influential figures. The petition claims she shared this information with Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who subsequently shared it with others. The theory posits that this information eventually reached the parties involved, leading to a conspiracy to murder her to prevent the disclosure of these secrets.

In the FIR filed with the CBI, Satish Salian has expanded these claims to include allegations of drug trafficking and child abuse. He asserts that a "well-orchestrated criminal conspiracy" was used to suppress evidence and fabricate a narrative of suicide to shield the accused, who include high-ranking politicians, police officers, and members of the film industry.

How is the death of Disha Salian linked to Sushant Singh Rajput?

The connection between the two deaths lies in the shared allegations of a conspiracy involving the disclosure of incriminating information. Satish Salian has formally alleged in his CBI complaint that the deaths of Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput are inextricably linked through their shared knowledge of unlawful activities.

The timeline of these events has contributed to the intense public interest in the case. Disha Salian died in June 2020, and less than a week later, Sushant Singh Rajput was also found dead in his home. While police initially ruled Rajput's death a suicide due to mental health issues, his family contested this, and the case was also eventually handed over to the CBI.

The central link, according to the Salian family, is the intent to expose wrongdoing. They allege that both Disha and Rajput intended to hold a press conference to bring information concerning drug trafficking and other illegal acts into the public domain. The allegation suggests that the subsequent deaths were a coordinated effort to prevent this information from being released.

What was the outcome of the previous investigations?

Previous investigations by local police and the CBI had largely concluded that both deaths were suicides, but these findings have been heavily contested and scrutinized. The original police investigation into Salian's death concluded it was a suicide, a finding that the Bombay High Court has now cast significant doubt upon.

Regarding Sushant Singh Rajput, the CBI had previously closed the case, stating that his death was a suicide and that his girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, and her family played no role in his passing. This conclusion followed a period of intense public outcry and legal scrutiny after Rajput's father accused Chakraborty of contributing to his death.

While the current court order emphasizes that the registration of a new FIR does not constitute a finding of guilt, it acknowledges that the previous investigations failed to address the serious allegations of political and professional interference. The new CBI investigation is tasked with determining whether there are sufficient grounds to formally name individuals as accused in a criminal conspiracy.

How has this case impacted the families involved?

The legal battle has had a profound and devastating impact on the Salian family, particularly regarding their mental health and emotional well-being. Satish Salian has spent six years fighting for what he describes as justice, a process that has been marked by intense grief and a sense of systemic failure.

Satish has shared that his wife has been unable to recover from the loss of their only child and has descended into depression. For Satish, the pursuit of a fresh investigation is a matter of survival and vindication for his daughter, whom he describes as a bright and helpful individual with a "heart of gold."

The emotional weight of the case is underscored by Satish's demand for the highest possible penalty for those he believes are responsible. For the family, the reopening of the case represents a small measure of peace, even as they continue to navigate the trauma of the past six years.

FAQ: Disha Salian death case

Why is the CBI investigating the Disha Salian case now?

The CBI is reinvestigating because the Bombay High Court found significant discrepancies in the original police work. The court noted that the initial investigation failed to register an FIR and that medical evidence did not match the suicide theory provided by local authorities.

What was the original cause of death reported by police?

Initially, local police reported that Disha Salian's death was a suicide following a fall from the 12th floor of a building in Mumbai. They also suggested that her friends believed she had fallen accidentally after consuming alcohol, though later findings contradicted this.

Who are the main parties involved in the new allegations?

The allegations involve several high-profile figures, including top politicians, police officers, and actors from the Bollywood industry. Satish Salian alleges these individuals were involved in a conspiracy to silence his daughter regarding their illegal activities.

Is there a connection to Sushant Singh Rajput?

Yes, Satish Salian alleges the deaths are linked. He claims both Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput possessed incriminating information regarding drug trafficking and other crimes, and that their deaths were part of a conspiracy to prevent that information from becoming public.

Does the new FIR mean someone is guilty?

No, the Bombay High Court explicitly stated that the registration of an FIR does not imply a finding of guilt. It simply allows the CBI to investigate whether there are sufficient grounds to formally charge any individuals with a crime.