The Bombay High Court has ordered India's federal police agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to reopen the investigation into the 2020 death of celebrity manager Disha Salian. The court's order on September 2, 2023, came after a petition filed by Salian's father, Satish Salian, who has long maintained that his daughter's death was not a suicide or an accident, but a murder involving powerful individuals.

Court Criticizes Initial Investigation

Judges Sarang V Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale noted "too many glaring discrepancies" in the police investigation, which spanned over six years and was conducted in two phases. The court expressed difficulty in accepting the initial findings, pointing to unexplained delays in police paperwork, a lack of blood evidence at the scene where the body was found, and post-mortem injuries inconsistent with a fall. A significant criticism was that the police had only investigated the death as suspicious or unnatural, failing to register a First Information Report (FIR) despite receiving information that could indicate a crime.

"The investigation carried out by the police raises more questions than it answers," the judges stated, emphasizing they were not conducting a "mini trial" but highlighting the shortcomings of the original probe.

Allegations of Gang Rape and Murder

Satish Salian's petition alleges that his 28-year-old daughter was gang-raped and murdered to silence her after she uncovered "objectionable activities of the powerful people." According to the court's summary of the allegations, Disha Salian, who worked for celebrity management company Kwan Entertainment, had shared incriminating information with Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. This information reportedly concerned drug trafficking and child abuse involving a former minister and other influential figures. The father alleges that a conspiracy was hatched to prevent them from bringing this information to public light, resulting in his daughter's gang rape, murder, and a subsequent cover-up of evidence.

The CBI has registered an FIR based on Satish Salian's written complaint. The court, however, clarified that the registration of the FIR does not imply guilt against anyone, and individuals will only be treated as accused if the investigating officer finds sufficient grounds for reasonable suspicion.

Connection to Sushant Singh Rajput's Death

Disha Salian's death on June 8, 2020, initially went largely unnoticed. Less than a week later, actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai home. Police ruled his death a suicide, attributing it to mental health issues. However, Rajput's father later accused his girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, of contributing to his suicide and denied his son had mental health problems. The CBI also investigated Rajput's case and concluded he died by suicide, finding no evidence that Chakraborty or her family played a role in his death.

Satish Salian's FIR explicitly links the deaths of Disha and Sushant, stating they intended to hold a press conference about the alleged drug trafficking and child abuse activities. He claims the actor's death was also part of the same criminal conspiracy to silence them.

Public and Political Impact

The reopening of the case, with allegations naming top politicians, police officers, and Bollywood actors, has dominated headlines in India. It has sparked discussions about the misuse of political power, with denials and claims of political vendetta circulating amid the ongoing investigation. Satish Salian expressed a sense of peace following the court's order for a fresh investigation, stating his desire for the death penalty for those responsible for his daughter's suffering. His wife has reportedly fallen into depression following their daughter's death, according to him.