Synopsis
BJP and Shiv Sena MLAs demand arrests in the death of Disha Salian. Her father has named Aaditya Thackeray and others in a petition, alleging rape and murder. The Special Investigation Team’s probe continues, and political tensions rise as calls for custodial interrogations increase.
AgenciesMumbai: The Disha Salian case was raised in both the Maharashtra Assembly and Legislative Council, with BJP and Shiv Sena MLAs demanding the arrest of those named by Disha’s father, Satish Salian, in her death. Satish has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, alleging that his daughter was raped and killed, naming Aaditya Thackeray, actors Dino Morea, and Suraj Pancholi, among others.
In the Maharashtra Assembly, BJP MLA Ameet Satam questioned the government’s actions, highlighting that the names mentioned by Salian include friends of Disha and ministers from the then Maha Vikas Aghadi government. He specifically asked whether the Special Investigation Team (SIT) would conduct custodial interrogations.
Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, responded by stating that while the SIT has been formed, the probe was ongoing and would proceed based on the High Court’s decision regarding Salian’s petition. His response sparked protests from both BJP and Shiv Sena MLAs. Nitesh Rane, a cabinet minister, cited a Supreme Court ruling, asserting that once a rape complaint is made, the police are legally obligated to arrest those named. Shiv Sena Minister Shambhuraj Desai supported Rane’s stance, and BJP MLA Satam pressed for a timeline on the SIT probe. This led to a brief adjournment of the house as tensions escalated.
The issue was also raised in the Legislative Council, where similar confrontations unfolded.
Meanwhile, Satish Salian’s lawyer, Nilesh Ojha, in a press conference, demanded the interrogation and arrest of Aaditya Thackeray, Morea, Pancholi, and Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray.
Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after allegedly falling from her 14th-floor apartment. Six days later, actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead by suicide.
In response, Uddhav Thackeray dismissed the allegations, calling the case fake and warning that attempting to drag his family into it would backfire.”We don’t have any connection with the case, our seven generations are in the public sphere, everyone knows about us, however if you try to involve us in a fake case then remember tomorrow this would boomerang on you too,”warned Uddhav.
( Originally published on Mar 20, 2025 )
