In the midst of the tumultuous period of the Covid-19 pandemic in June 2020, Disha Salian, a manager for Bollywood celebrities, reached out to her father, Satish Salian, to inquire about the safety of traveling. She was eager to participate in an upcoming advertising campaign and proudly showed her parents the advance payment she had received. As she left home, she assured them she would return in two days. Sadly, that was the last time her family saw her alive.
Just a few days later, on the night of June 8th and 9th, Satish Salian was summoned to a hospital by the police, where he was informed of the tragic death of his daughter. Reports indicated that she had fallen from the 12th floor of a building in Mumbai. Her friends, present at the hospital, mentioned that she had been drinking and suggested her fall was an accident. However, police investigations initially concluded it was a suicide. Recently, the Bombay High Court has ordered a reinvestigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following a petition from Disha’s father.
Court’s Decision to Reopen the Case
The Bombay High Court’s decision to reopen the investigation into Disha Salian’s death stems from allegations made by her father. He has continuously asserted that his daughter did not die by suicide or accident, but was instead the victim of a heinous crime involving gang rape and murder. He has accused high-ranking police officials of tampering with evidence and fabricating a story to cover up the involvement of influential politicians.
Judges Sarang V Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale, in their order on September 2, criticized the original police investigation for its numerous discrepancies. They highlighted the lack of blood at the scene and inconsistencies in the injuries reported in the post-mortem, which did not align with a fall. The judges emphasized that their role was not to conduct a trial but to address the questions raised by the police’s inadequate investigation.
Allegations of a Cover-Up
The allegations brought forth by Satish Salian have led to the registration of an FIR by the CBI, based on his complaint. These allegations suggest that Disha, who worked with Kwan Entertainment and represented actor Sushant Singh Rajput, had uncovered sensitive information involving illegal activities by powerful individuals. It’s claimed that she shared this information with Rajput, which ultimately led to her murder to keep her silent.
Sushant Singh Rajput expressed his grief over Disha’s death through social media, and shortly after, he too was found dead, with police ruling it a suicide. This case also attracted significant attention, leading to the arrest of his girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, although the CBI later concluded that Rajput’s death was indeed a suicide.
Impact and Continuing Investigation
Satish Salian believes there is a connection between the deaths of his daughter and Rajput. He alleges that both were planning to expose criminal activities, prompting a conspiracy to silence them. The court has clarified that the FIR does not imply guilt but allows the investigation to proceed against those named, which includes prominent politicians and Bollywood figures.
Satish Salian has been relentless in his pursuit of justice for his daughter, describing her as a bright and loving person. The reopening of the case has given him some solace, although his wife remains deeply affected by their loss. He seeks the death penalty for those responsible, viewing it as the only form of justice for his daughter’s untimely demise.
