The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Maharashtra government to reinvestigate the death of celebrity manager Disha Salian, has informed the Bombay High Court that no foul play has been detected in the case so far. However, the investigation remains ongoing, the team stated in an affidavit filed on Wednesday.
The SIT’s submission was in response to a petition filed by Salian’s father, Satish Salian, seeking registration of an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray and others, alleging conspiracy in his daughter’s death. The petition also calls for transferring the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and action against the SIT.
In his affidavit, Senior Inspector Shailendra Nagarkar of Malvani Police Station urged the court to dismiss the petition, stating that comprehensive investigation procedures had already been followed and no suspicious elements were uncovered.
According to the affidavit, on June 9, 2020, police received a message from Shatabdi Hospital, Kandivli, stating that a woman, later identified as Disha Salian (28), had fallen from the 12th floor of a residential building in Malad (West) around 1:20 a.m. She was declared dead at 2:25 a.m. An Accidental Death Report (ADR) was registered, and an inquiry was initiated under Section 174 of the CrPC.
Disha’s post-mortem was conducted at Bhagwati Hospital after receiving a negative COVID-19 test report. She was cremated at the Malvani crematorium. At the time, no suspicions were raised by family or friends.
Nagarkar noted that Salian was engaged to Rohan Roy and had been staying at his Malad residence during the lockdown. On June 6, 2020, Roy hosted a birthday celebration for Salian and a friend. The group, including close friends, stayed at the flat for two days, consuming alcohol and socializing.
On June 8, while on a video call with a friend in London, Salian appeared emotionally disturbed and later locked herself in a bedroom. When she did not respond, Roy broke open the door but found the room empty. She was later found lying in the building compound. She was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead before admission.
Statements from all individuals present that night, including the London-based friend, were recorded. Police said Salian was under mental stress due to professional setbacks and personal issues. A toxicology report confirmed she was heavily intoxicated at the time of death.
The post-mortem report showed no signs of physical or sexual assault. CCTV footage from six cameras installed in the building from June 4 to June 9 was examined, revealing no suspicious activity. Call data records of all individuals were also analysed, and no irregularities were found. The SIT, formed amid public scrutiny, has so far upheld the findings of the initial investigation. The matter is currently under judicial review.
