Disha Salian case: Why Bombay High Court has ordered a CBI probe six years later

The Disha Salian case has taken a dramatic new turn.

Nearly six years after the celebrity manager's death in Mumbai, the Bombay High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR and conduct a fresh probe into the circumstances surrounding her death. The order follows a petition filed by her father, Satish Salian, who has consistently disputed the conclusion that his daughter died by suicide.

The decision marks the biggest development in the case since 2020 and is likely to reignite public attention around a case that has remained the subject of legal battles, political controversy and intense public scrutiny.

What has the Bombay High Court ordered?

On September 2, a division bench of the Bombay High Court directed the CBI to register an FIR and carry out a comprehensive investigation into Disha Salian's death. The court also directed that a senior CBI officer oversee the probe.

The court clarified that no individual should be treated as an accused unless evidence gathered during the investigation creates reasonable grounds for suspicion.

Why did the court step in now?

The order comes after weeks of hearings on a petition filed by Satish Salian.

During the proceedings, the High Court repeatedly questioned why the matter had continued for years under an Accidental Death Report (ADR) inquiry rather than being investigated through a regular criminal case. The judges also raised questions about aspects of the original investigation, including evidence collection, post-mortem procedures and the absence of an FIR despite objections from the family.

The Maharashtra government defended the original investigation, maintaining that available evidence pointed to suicide and did not indicate foul play.

Who was Disha Salian?

Disha Salian was a celebrity manager who worked with several figures in the entertainment industry, including late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

She died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a residential building in Mumbai's Malad area. Six days later, Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment, leading to widespread speculation and public interest in both cases.

What has her family alleged?

Satish Salian has argued that his daughter's death was not properly investigated and sought a fresh probe. His petition alleged that crucial questions remained unanswered and called for an independent investigation by the CBI.

The allegations made in the petition remain claims and have not been established in court. The High Court's order does not endorse those allegations; it merely directs a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

What happens next?

The CBI is now expected to formally register an FIR and begin a fresh investigation.

Mumbai Police have been directed to transfer relevant records and materials connected to the case to the central agency. Depending on what investigators find, the CBI could either file charges before a competent court or submit a closure report if no criminal offence is established.

Why is this order significant?

The ruling effectively reopens a case that many believed had reached a legal dead end.

More importantly, it shifts the investigation from an accidental death inquiry to a full-fledged criminal probe under the CBI, ensuring that the circumstances of Disha Salian's death will once again come under detailed scrutiny. Whether the new investigation uncovers fresh evidence or ultimately upholds earlier conclusions will now be one of the most closely watched legal developments in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)