Bombay High Court Reserves Verdict on Disha Salian Death Probe Plea, Raises Questions Over Police Inquiry

The Bombay High Court has reserved its verdict on a plea seeking a further investigation into the 2020 death of celebrity manager Disha Salian. During the hearing, the court questioned aspects of the police inquiry and said the grievance raised by her father required consideration under the law.

The Bombay High Court on Friday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by Satish Salian, the father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian, seeking a fresh and independent investigation into her death in 2020.

A division bench comprising Justices Sarang V. Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale heard detailed submissions from the petitioner, the Maharashtra government and other parties before reserving its decision.

During the hearing, the court raised questions about the manner in which the police inquiry into Disha Salian’s death had been conducted and later concluded. The bench indicated that several aspects of the matter required scrutiny and emphasised the importance of a proper legal process before questions surrounding a further investigation could be finally addressed.

The High Court has not yet delivered its final order.

Disha Salian Died in June 2020

Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area.

Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and conducted an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death. According to the police findings referred to during the proceedings, foul play was not established.

The case later attracted widespread public attention following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput six days later. Disha Salian had reportedly worked with Rajput for a brief period.

Speculation about a possible connection between the two deaths subsequently emerged in public discourse. However, investigating authorities did not establish any such link.

Satish Salian Challenged Police Findings

In March 2025, Satish Salian approached the Bombay High Court challenging the conclusions of the earlier police inquiry.

His petition sought a fresh and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death.

The petition also made serious allegations, including claims that Disha Salian had been raped and murdered and that information connected to her death had allegedly been suppressed.

These allegations remain contested and have not been established by any court.

The petition also sought the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and action against members of the Special Investigation Team constituted by the Maharashtra government.

The High Court’s pending decision is expected to address the legal issues raised in the petition.

Court Questions the Nature of the Police Inquiry

A major focus of the hearing was the manner in which the police inquiry had been conducted.

The bench questioned why the inquiry had continued for several years despite the authorities’ position that there was no evidence of foul play.

The judges also examined the circumstances under which the matter was revisited after the initial inquiry.

The court’s concern appeared to centre on whether the legal procedure adopted in the case had adequately addressed the questions surrounding Disha Salian’s death.

The bench emphasised the importance of conducting a proper investigation so that the interests of all concerned parties were protected and no individual faced prejudice without due process.

Importantly, these observations were made during the hearing and do not constitute the court’s final judgment.

Petitioner’s Side Raises Questions Over Investigation

Advocate Nilesh Ojha, appearing for Satish Salian, raised questions about the investigation and the manner in which the matter had been handled.

The petitioner’s side argued that the circumstances of Disha Salian’s death required a more thorough investigation before the matter could be treated as closed.

It was also submitted that the investigation report had not been provided to the family for several years.

Questions were additionally raised about the circumstances surrounding the location where Disha Salian’s body was found.

The petitioner’s side referred to an analysis it had commissioned and argued that the position of the body warranted further examination.

These submissions represent the petitioner’s arguments before the court. They have not been accepted as factual findings by the High Court.

Maharashtra Government Defends Police Action

The Maharashtra government defended the manner in which the matter had been examined.

Public Prosecutor Shishir Hiray submitted that the accidental death inquiry had been revisited following directions issued in December 2022.

According to the state’s submissions, authorities reviewed available CCTV footage and recorded statements from six witnesses.

The government argued that the witness statements examined during the inquiry did not indicate foul play.

The state maintained that the available material did not support the allegations raised in the petition.

The court, however, continued to examine whether the procedure followed had provided sufficient legal clarity and whether the concerns raised by Disha Salian’s father had been properly addressed.

High Court Focuses on the Father’s Grievance

During the hearing, the division bench clarified that its focus was not on political considerations.

Instead, the court indicated that its central concern was whether the grievance raised by a father regarding his daughter’s death had received an appropriate legal response.

The court emphasised that any further legal action should follow a proper procedure and should not cause prejudice to any party.

The observations highlighted the distinction between examining whether a complaint or grievance requires further investigation and making a final determination about criminal responsibility.

The High Court has not concluded that any alleged offence occurred.

Similarly, no finding has been made establishing the serious allegations contained in the petition.

Why the Reserved Verdict Matters

The High Court’s forthcoming decision could provide clarity on several important legal questions.

These include whether the existing inquiry was sufficient, whether any further investigation is required and whether the petitioner’s request for an independent or central agency investigation warrants judicial intervention.

The court’s decision may also address broader procedural questions relating to the handling and closure of inquiries into unnatural or suspicious deaths.

Until the judgment is delivered, the earlier police findings, the allegations raised by Satish Salian and the arguments presented by the Maharashtra government remain matters considered within the ongoing legal proceedings.

The oral observations made during the hearing should not be treated as the final outcome of the case.

What Happens Next?

With arguments now concluded, the Bombay High Court has reserved its verdict.

The date for the pronouncement of the judgment was not announced in the information available at the time of publication.

The court’s written order will be important because it will provide the final legal reasoning behind its decision and clarify whether any further investigative steps are required.

Until then, the allegations made in the petition remain unproven and the police findings continue to be contested before the court.

The case also remains a reminder of the importance of distinguishing between public speculation, allegations made in legal proceedings, submissions by lawyers, findings of investigating agencies and conclusions reached by a court.

The Bombay High Court’s eventual verdict is expected to determine the next legal stage in the matter.