Bombay High Court Orders CBI Investigation Into Disha Salian’s Death, Says No One Can Be Treated as Accused Without Evidence

Yugcharan News / 02-09-2026

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation into the 2020 death of former celebrity manager Disha Salian, bringing a fresh turn to a case that has remained the subject of public and legal attention for several years. The court has also made it clear that the investigation must proceed on the basis of evidence and that no individual should be treated as an accused unless sufficient material emerges against that person.

A division bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by Disha Salian’s father, Satish Salian. The court directed the CBI to register a First Information Report (FIR), record the statement of the deceased’s father and examine the circumstances surrounding Disha’s death.

The ruling marks an important development because the case had previously been handled by the Mumbai Police, which had registered an Accidental Death Report following the incident. The police subsequently maintained that Disha had died by suicide. Her family, however, has disputed that conclusion and sought an independent investigation into the circumstances of her death.

Court lays down conditions for the CBI investigation

While ordering the CBI probe, the Bombay High Court also underlined the importance of maintaining the distinction between an allegation and an established finding. The bench said that no person should be treated as an accused unless the investigating agency finds adequate material against them during the course of the investigation.

This direction is significant in a case involving allegations against several individuals and considerable public speculation. The court’s observation indicates that the CBI will be required to independently examine the available evidence rather than proceed against any individual solely on the basis of allegations made in the petition.

The court also directed the Mumbai Police to transfer all relevant case records and documents to the CBI so that the central agency can begin its investigation with access to the material collected during the earlier proceedings.

The bench further stated that if the CBI investigation ultimately finds that there is no case to proceed with, the agency would be required to submit an appropriate summary report before the concerned court. Satish Salian would have the liberty to challenge such a report, according to the court’s order.

Disha Salian died in June 2020

Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 12th floor of a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area. Following her death, the Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report as part of the initial proceedings.

The police later described the incident as a case of suicide. That conclusion, however, has been questioned by Disha’s family, particularly her father, who has maintained that the circumstances surrounding her death required a deeper and independent investigation.

The case also attracted significant attention because Disha had worked as a celebrity manager. Her death occurred shortly before the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, with whom she had professional associations in the past. Over the years, the two cases have frequently been discussed together in public discourse, although the High Court’s latest order concerns the investigation into Disha Salian’s death.

Father sought an independent investigation

Satish Salian approached the Bombay High Court last year seeking a CBI investigation into his daughter’s death. In his petition, he raised serious allegations regarding the circumstances in which she died and claimed that the earlier investigation had not adequately addressed questions raised by the family.

According to the material placed before the court, Satish Salian alleged that his daughter had been sexually assaulted and murdered. He also alleged that facts connected with the case had been suppressed in order to protect influential individuals.

These allegations remain claims made by the petitioner and have not been established as facts by the court. The High Court’s order for a CBI investigation does not itself establish that the allegations of murder or sexual assault are true. Instead, the purpose of the investigation will be to determine, on the basis of evidence, what actually happened.

The petitioner had also sought the registration of an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. However, the court’s direction makes clear that a person cannot automatically be treated as an accused merely because allegations have been raised against them. Any such step will depend on the evidence gathered during the CBI investigation.

Investigation to examine existing records

The transfer of the case records from Mumbai Police to the CBI is expected to allow the central agency to examine the earlier investigation along with any material that may have emerged subsequently.

The agency will have to assess the circumstances surrounding Disha’s death, review the existing documents and statements and determine whether there is evidence supporting the allegations raised by her family. The court has specifically placed emphasis on the requirement of sufficient material before anyone can be treated as an accused.

This approach is particularly relevant given the long-running public debate surrounding the case. Various claims and theories have circulated over the years, but the legal process requires such claims to be tested against evidence.

The CBI’s investigation will therefore be important not only in determining whether further criminal proceedings are warranted but also in establishing whether the earlier conclusion regarding the nature of Disha’s death requires reconsideration.

Court keeps door open for further legal challenge

The High Court has also provided a mechanism for the petitioner to challenge the outcome if the CBI eventually concludes that no criminal case is made out.

If the investigation does not uncover sufficient evidence of a criminal offence, the CBI will be expected to submit the appropriate summary report to the concerned court. Satish Salian will have the right to challenge that report, ensuring that the conclusion of the investigation is not necessarily the final legal word if the petitioner believes the findings are inadequate.

At the same time, the court’s directions place clear boundaries around the investigation. The CBI will need to distinguish between allegations, suspicion and evidence and cannot designate individuals as accused without sufficient material emerging during the probe.

A significant development after years of controversy

The Bombay High Court’s decision represents a major new phase in the Disha Salian case. For years, questions surrounding her death have remained a matter of public discussion, with her family seeking a more detailed examination of the circumstances.

The CBI investigation now provides an opportunity for the allegations and competing claims to be examined through a fresh investigative process. The agency’s findings could determine whether the case requires further criminal proceedings or whether the earlier understanding of the incident remains supported by available evidence.

For now, the court has not made any finding of guilt against any individual. Its order is focused on ensuring that the circumstances of Disha Salian’s death are investigated by the CBI and that any future action is based on evidence gathered during that investigation.

The case will therefore move into a new investigative stage, with the CBI expected to examine the records handed over by Mumbai Police, record relevant statements and assess the material available in connection with the death.

The High Court’s emphasis on evidence also serves as an important reminder that allegations made in a legal petition are not equivalent to proven criminal conduct. Any person named in connection with the case will have to be assessed on the basis of evidence gathered by investigators.

As the CBI begins its probe, the focus will now shift from years of public speculation to the investigative findings that emerge through the formal legal process