Disha Salian FIR Names Aaditya Thackeray; Shiv Sena Leader Calls It a ‘Character Assassination Attempt’

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has broken his silence after his name surfaced in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR concerning the death of Disha Salian.

Thackeray said he had “never met or known” Salian and alleged that repeatedly linking him to the case was an “evidence-free” attempt to damage his reputation.

Thackeray, the Worli MLA and son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, made the remarks in a post on X on Wednesday. He alleged that certain people had been attempting to associate his name with the case for political and personal reasons.

“Let’s cut through the noise and talk facts, once again: I have never met or known Disha Salian. Linking my name to this tragic case constantly is a deliberate, evidence-free attempt at character assassination by a few individuals with clear political and personal motives, for almost 6 years,” he said.

Aaditya Thackeray Hits Out At ‘Smear Campaign’

Thackeray also criticised what he described as a sustained campaign against him, alleging that it was being carried out by vested interests without supporting evidence. He said television debates and media coverage should not influence the investigation.

“The relentless smear campaign run by vested interests without a single shred of evidence and truth is highly unfortunate. Loud TV debates and media trials do not change the facts. Let the official re-investigation proceed without malicious distractions and character assassination for political motives,” he wrote.

The CBI registered an FIR after the Bombay High Court ordered a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death. Several prominent names, including Aaditya Thackeray, actors Dino Morea and Rhea Chakraborty, have appeared in the FIR and are expected to be examined as part of the probe.

The agency has, however, clarified that being named in the FIR does not mean that the individuals have been made accused in the case. The CBI has not named anyone as an accused at this stage.

Disha Salian Death Case Explained

Disha Salian, who worked as a celebrity manager and had professional links with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a residential building in Mumbai.

Salian’s death occurred six days before Rajput was found dead on June 14, 2020. The timing of the two deaths led to widespread speculation about a possible connection between the cases.

Salian’s father, Satish Salian, subsequently approached the Bombay High Court, alleging shortcomings in the original investigation and seeking a fresh probe into the circumstances of his daughter’s death.

Following the court’s direction, the CBI took up the investigation and registered an FIR on September 13 based on the allegations presented before it.

The agency is now examining the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death as part of the fresh investigation.