The Bombay High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to launch a formal probe into the 2020 death of Disha Salian. This order follows a petition from the father of the deceased, who contested the initial Mumbai Police investigation that labeled the incident a suicide. The court has mandated that a senior officer supervise the case, marking a significant legal development in a long-standing investigation.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued a formal directive to the Central Bureau of Investigation to initiate an inquiry into the death of Disha Salian, which took place in 2020. A bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale ordered the central agency to register a First Information Report and ensure the investigation is overseen by a senior, experienced officer to maintain impartiality.
Disha Salian, who worked as a celebrity manager, died on June 8, 2020, following a fall from the 14th floor of a building in the Malad suburb of Mumbai. Following the incident, local authorities registered an Accidental Death Report and eventually concluded their inquiry by classifying the death as a suicide. This finding was consistently disputed by the family of the deceased.
Satish Salian, the father of the deceased, filed a petition challenging the police's assessment. The petition alleged foul play, specifically claiming that his daughter was a victim of gang rape and murder, theories that contradict the initial police findings. The court has now granted the father the liberty to contest the outcome of the CBI's investigation once a report is filed. The bench clarified that the agency should not treat any individual as an accused without gathering sufficient evidence during the probe. If the CBI concludes that there is no evidence of a cognizable offense, it is instructed to file a closure report.
This judicial intervention is a significant legal development in a case that has drawn substantial public and political attention over the years. For observers, the key monitorable will be the findings of the federal agency, as the case involves sensitive legal and reputational implications for those potentially named during the proceedings. As this is an ongoing legal matter, the final outcome remains subject to the investigative findings of the CBI and further judicial review.