MUMABI: Six years after talent manager Disha Salian was found dead, her father Satish Salian on September 11 recorded a detailed statement with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), naming Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, actors Dino Morea and Sooraj Pancholi, and others.
Soon after, his lawyer, Advocate Nilesh Ojha, made explosive allegations, claiming that Aaditya Thackeray, Rhea Chakraborty and others were involved in “gang rape, murder and cover-up.”
🚨 EXPLOSIVE CLAIM by Disha Salian’s lawyer, Adv. Nilesh Ojha
“Aaditya Thackeray, Rhea Chakraborty & others were involved in gang rape, murder & cover-up.”
“Our statement has been recorded today. FIR will be uploaded in a couple of days.”pic.twitter.com/GYt03TOxjQ
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 12, 2026
Speaking to the media after the CBI recorded the statement, Ojha said, “The High Court’s order is very clear. It says record Disha’s father Satish Salian’s statement, register an FIR, and then proceed with the investigation. Treat those suspected as accused if there is material evidence against them and file a charge sheet; otherwise, do not.”
“So, we have given our statement. Registering the FIR is now just a formality. As for the matter of evidence, there is sufficient evidence… Disha Salian had obtained digital evidence concerning Aaditya Thackeray and his gang, which she passed on. Sushant Singh Rajput shared this information with Rhea; Rhea was already aware of it. Rhea and Aaditya Thackeray, along with people like Dino Morea, are partners in crime. She passed the information on to them, and they felt threatened… Our statement recorded today pertains to this very matter,” Advocate Ojha added.
Deceased Disha’s father Satish Salian told ANI that he had given a comprehensive account of the events surrounding his daughter’s death. “I stated the facts exactly as they were; I told them everything that happened to my daughter. I listed all the names: Aditya, Sooraj Pancholi, Dino Morea, and the bodyguards. They noted everything down. They said they would take action based on what I told them; the proceedings would begin in a few days. The truth cannot be defeated. God stands where the truth is; that is why justice will be served.”
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Disha Salian's father, Satish Salian, says, "I stated the facts exactly as they were—I told them everything that happened to my daughter. I listed all the names—Aditya, Sooraj Pancholi, Dino Morea, and the bodyguards. They noted everything down. They… pic.twitter.com/uM9inRUD1p
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2026
The CBI recorded the statement following the Bombay High Court’s September 2 order directing a fresh probe and registration of an FIR.
The court had earlier, on August 30, reserved its order after hearing detailed arguments.
Background of the Case
Disha Salian, who worked as the manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died on June 8, 2020, after allegedly falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad (Malavani) area.
Just six days later, Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence. Mumbai Police treated Disha’s death as a case of suicide and registered only an Accidental Death Report (ADR).
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) later informed the High Court that it had found no foul play.
Satish Salian initially told police in 2020 that he did not suspect foul play. It has been claimed in certain sections of the press that he being a man from tier 2 or tier 3 cities, had come to Mumbai only after his daughter’s death and felt pressurised by the police report and therefore gave statements absolving the very persons he now states as the parties responsible for his daughter’s gruesome death/murder. It is also stated that he felt and mentioned to the police that his daughter’s body nor her clothes showed consistency with what should have been the presentation f she had indeed plunged down 14 floors in height.
He later changed his stand, alleging that his daughter had been sexually assaulted and murdered, and approached the High Court seeking registration of an FIR and a proper investigation, including against Aaditya Thackeray.
VIDEO | PTI Exclusive: On Disha Salian case, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane (@NiteshNRane) says, “If Aaditya Thackeray Ji has nothing to do with this, then why has he filed an intervention affidavit in the court?… Why have we seen him taking different stands there?…This is… pic.twitter.com/vo129TVmjZ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2026
During the August 30 hearing, a Division Bench of Justices Sarang V. Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale questioned the prolonged ADR inquiry under Section 174 of the CrPC (now Section 194 of the BNSS).
The judges observed that such an inquiry is meant only to ascertain the apparent cause of death and “cannot give a clean chit to anyone.”
They stressed that if information discloses a cognisable offence, an FIR under Section 154 CrPC (now Section 173 BNSS) must be considered.
The court clarified it was “not conclusively saying rape or murder was committed,” but was examining whether the allegations warranted a proper investigation and legal closure for the family.
It also noted that the family had not been provided copies of the post-mortem report and ADR even after five years.
Senior Advocate Sudeep Pasbola, appearing for Aaditya Thackeray, opposed the plea, arguing that Satish Salian had been made a “tool” by political rivals seeking to target Thackeray.
He described the allegations as based on media reports and hearsay and called the petition mala fide. Thackeray has previously denied the charges, terming them an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
The Maharashtra government defended the police investigation, stating that spot panchnamas, witness statements (including that of Disha’s fiancé Rohan Roy), post-mortem, forensic evidence, CCTV footage and call records did not disclose foul play.
The High Court ultimately ordered the CBI to register an FIR, record Satish Salian’s statement, and investigate, while directing that no one should be treated as an accused unless material evidence emerges.
The CBI has so far declined to comment on the contents of Friday’s statement.
An FIR is expected to be registered in the coming days, after which a formal investigation will begin. The claims made by the family remain allegations and have not been adjudicated as proven facts.
