Father of Sushant Singh Rajput’s ex-manager seeks FIR against Aaditya Thackeray in HC plea
Disha Salian death case
Mumbai, Mar 19 (PTI): Satish Salian, father of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, on Wednesday said he has moved the Bombay High Court seeking a fresh probe into the mysterious circumstances under which she was found dead in June 2020.
The petition urges the HC to order registration of a First Information Report against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and transfer of the probe to the CBI, he said.
A Sena (UBT) spokesperson, however, wondered why the matter was suddenly under the spotlight after four years, and suspected a conspiracy. Notably, the Budget session of the Maharashtra legislature is currently underway.
Satish Salian's lawyer Nilesh Ojha said they were still in the process of filing the petition, and would get it numbered at the HC registry department on Thursday.
The plea alleged that Disha Salian was brutally raped and murdered, and subsequently there was a politically-orchestrated cover-up to protect certain influential persons.
The petitioner initially believed that the probe conducted by the city police was genuine, but has now learnt that it was a cover-up, it said.
"The Mumbai police hastily closed the death as a case of suicide or accidental death without taking into account forensic evidence, circumstantial proof and eyewitness testimonies," the plea said.
Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling off the 14th floor of a residential building in suburban Malad. The city police had then registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) case.
Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14, 2020. While the city police initially said it was a case of suicide, the case was handed over to the CBI later.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar suspected a conspiracy behind Satish Salian's plea.
"Someone is behind it, and there is a conspiracy. How come this matter has come under the spotlight after more than four years? The CID conducted an enquiry, there is already an SIT (formed to probe the matter)," Pednekar said in her reaction.
BJP minister Nitesh Rane, on the other hand, latched on to the development to target Aaditya Thackeray, a former Maharashtra minister.
"Aaditya Thackeray should speak the truth. He should resign as an MLA and face the probe," Rane told reporters.
The Ranes and the Thackerays have been bitter enemies ever since Nitesh Rane's father and former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane left the Shiv Sena after falling out with Uddhav Thackeray.
Nitesh Rane, meanwhile, also reiterated his allegations that CCTV footage of Salian's building was made to disappear and pages of the society's visitors' register were torn off.
"I have been saying this from day one that Disha Salian was murdered," the minister for port development and fisheries said.
Yogesh Kadam, Minister of State in the Home department, said Salian's father should submit any proof that he has to the home department.
"We will follow whatever direction the High Court gives. There will be no party politics in the probe," he said.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
