Mumbai - The Bombay High Court on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a First Information Report (FIR) and investigate the death of Disha Salian, a former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice Sarang V. Kotwal and Justice Ranjitsinha Bhonsale while hearing a petition filed by Salian’s father, Satish Salian, seeking a fresh investigation into his daughter’s death.
The court directed the CBI to appoint a senior and experienced officer to conduct the investigation and to record Satish Salian’s statement. The investigating officer has been directed to examine all aspects surrounding the circumstances in which Disha Salian died.
Disha Salian, 28, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a residential high-rise in Mumbai’s Malad area. Her death occurred six days before Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his residence in Bandra on June 14, 2020. The circumstances surrounding both deaths have subsequently been the subject of public discussion and separate legal proceedings.
Bombay High Court Directs Senior CBI Officer to Conduct Probe
The High Court has directed that a senior CBI officer undertake the investigation. The court also made it clear that no person should be treated as an accused unless the investigating officer finds sufficient material against that individual.
The court further directed the investigating officer to file a charge-sheet if the investigation establishes that a cognisable offence has been committed. If no cognisable offence is established, appropriate closure proceedings are to be filed before the competent court. Satish Salian has been given liberty to file a protest petition if a closure report is submitted.
The court's direction is therefore an order for investigation and does not itself establish that any person committed an offence. Whether a criminal offence occurred, and whether anyone is responsible, will be determined through the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
What Led to the CBI Investigation
Satish Salian had approached the Bombay High Court seeking registration of an FIR and a fresh investigation into his daughter's death. His petition alleged that Disha Salian had been assaulted and murdered and questioned the manner in which the earlier police inquiry was conducted. These allegations were made by the petitioner and have not been established by a court.
The petition also raised allegations concerning Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and others. The allegations against any individuals named in the petition remain allegations unless established through evidence and legal proceedings. The court's latest order specifically cautions against treating anyone as an accused without sufficient material.
During the proceedings, senior advocate Sudeep Pasbola, appearing for Aaditya Thackeray, opposed the petition and argued that the allegations against his client were politically motivated. The Maharashtra government, represented through the Mumbai Police, also opposed the request for a fresh investigation, maintaining that its inquiry had not found evidence sufficient to prosecute anyone.
The case was initially registered as an Accidental Death Report (ADR). The state told the High Court that the initial ADR inquiry was closed in October 2020 and was subsequently reopened in 2023 after allegations concerning the manner in which the original inquiry had been conducted emerged on social media.
The Maharashtra government maintained that the evidence available to the police did not establish foul play. Chief Public Prosecutor Shishir Hiray argued that the material examined during the inquiry indicated that Disha Salian had either died by suicide or fallen accidentally from the building. The state also maintained that witness statements and forensic material did not establish murder or sexual assault.
The High Court, however, questioned aspects of the earlier inquiry, including the prolonged continuation of proceedings under the provisions relating to inquiries into the cause of death and the absence of an FIR despite the allegations subsequently raised by Salian's father. The court also examined material including the panchnama, photographs and other records during the proceedings.
The High Court did not itself conclude that Disha Salian was murdered or that the allegations made by her father were true. The court's order instead requires the CBI to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
Court's Direction on Further Proceedings
The CBI investigation will now examine the circumstances surrounding Disha Salian's death and the material collected during the earlier police inquiry. The investigating officer is required to determine whether the evidence establishes a cognisable offence.
If the investigation establishes a cognisable offence, the investigating officer is to proceed with the filing of a charge-sheet. If the investigation does not establish such an offence, appropriate closure proceedings are to be filed before the competent court. The court has also preserved Satish Salian's right to file a protest petition against a closure report.
The High Court's order does not set out a finding of criminal liability against any individual. Any person named in the petition or discussed during the proceedings will have to be treated in accordance with the evidence that emerges during the CBI investigation.
Background to the Case
Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a high-rise residential building in Malad, Mumbai. At the time, she was 28 years old and had worked as a celebrity manager, including for Sushant Singh Rajput.
Her death occurred shortly before Rajput's death on June 14, 2020. While the two deaths have been discussed together in public discourse, the latest Bombay High Court order concerns the investigation into Disha Salian's death and does not establish a connection between the two deaths.
Satish Salian's petition sought a fresh investigation after he raised allegations concerning the circumstances of his daughter's death and the handling of the earlier inquiry. The Maharashtra government disputed those allegations and maintained that its investigation had not found sufficient evidence of foul play.
With the High Court's September 2 order, the CBI is now required to register the FIR and undertake the investigation in accordance with the court's directions. The outcome of that investigation will determine whether any criminal offence is established and whether further criminal proceedings are warranted.
