Bombay High Court order brings fresh attention to 2020 celebrity death case. (Img: Pinterest))
Mumbai: The Disha Salian death case witnessed a major development on Monday as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) formally registered an FIR following the Bombay High Court’s direction for a fresh probe.
Disha Salian, who worked as a celebrity manager and had briefly managed late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, was found dead on June 8, 2020, after falling from a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area.
Her death was initially recorded by Mumbai Police as an Accidental Death Report (ADR). However, concerns raised by her family over the investigation process later resulted in legal proceedings before the Bombay High Court.
With the registration of the FIR, the case has now moved into a formal criminal investigation stage, allowing the CBI to examine the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death.
The fresh investigation follows a petition filed by Disha Salian’s father Satish Salian, who raised concerns over the earlier probe and sought a detailed investigation.
During the hearing, the Bombay High Court questioned aspects of the investigation and observed that certain issues required further examination.
The High Court directed the CBI to register an FIR and conduct a comprehensive probe. It also ordered that a senior officer of the agency supervise the investigation. The court’s intervention brought renewed attention to the case, which had remained a subject of public debate since 2020.
As part of the investigation process, Satish Salian recorded his statement before the CBI and shared details related to his concerns surrounding his daughter’s death. According to reports, he provided information and names of individuals whom he wanted investigators to examine.
The names mentioned in his statement include several public figures, actors, police officials and other individuals. The CBI will assess all information, evidence and statements according to legal procedures. The allegations raised by the family remain part of the investigation process and have not been established as facts by any court.
The case gained nationwide attention because Salian’s death occurred just days before the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. While Salian died on June 8, 2020, Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020.
The timing of both incidents triggered widespread discussions and speculation across social media platforms. However, investigative agencies have treated the two cases separately. The connection between the two deaths became one of the major reasons behind the continued public interest in Salian’s case.
Following the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, the Maharashtra government transferred the actor’s death investigation to the CBI. The agency later submitted a closure report stating that Rajput died by suicide. The report remains subject to legal proceedings. The fresh CBI FIR in the Disha Salian case has once again brought attention to the timeline of events surrounding both deaths.
The Bombay High Court’s order highlighted concerns regarding the earlier investigation process conducted by Mumbai Police. The court questioned why the matter continued as an Accidental Death Report for several years despite concerns raised by Salian’s family.
The court also referred to issues related to investigation records and documents, including the post-mortem report and ADR details. The CBI will now independently examine the available material and determine the next course of action based on evidence.
The development has triggered renewed discussions among political groups, social media users and followers of the entertainment industry. Supporters of a fresh probe have welcomed the CBI investigation, saying it could help clarify unanswered questions surrounding the case.
At the same time, legal experts and observers have emphasised that conclusions can only be drawn after the completion of the investigation and examination of evidence. The case continues to remain one of Maharashtra’s most discussed investigations involving the entertainment industry.
The CBI is expected to analyse investigation records collected from Mumbai Police, forensic documents, witness statements and other available evidence. The agency may question individuals connected with the case as part of its probe.
The findings of the investigation will depend on the evidence collected and further legal proceedings. The registration of the FIR marks a fresh chapter in the Disha Salian death case, which has remained in public focus for more than six years.
The fresh probe has renewed conversations around investigation transparency, forensic procedures and accountability in high-profile cases. The Disha Salian case has remained under public attention due to its timing, celebrity connection and the questions raised by her family. The CBI investigation will now determine whether there were any lapses in the earlier probe and establish the facts surrounding her death.
