Advocate Nilesh Ojha has submitted what he described as fresh evidence to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Disha Salian death case, raising questions about the 2020 reinstatement of former police officer Sachin Vaze.
According to reports, Ojha has cited a report submitted to the Union Home Ministry concerning Vaze’s reinstatement and subsequent posting to the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU).
Ojha has alleged that the document raises questions about the circumstances surrounding Vaze’s return to the police force. His claims, however, remain allegations and should not be treated as established findings unless confirmed by the investigating agency or a court.
What Nilesh Ojha Told ANI
Speaking to ANI, Ojha said the material he submitted to the CBI supports several of the concerns he has previously raised about the case.
“Regarding this case, all the points we raised are being substantiated as more evidence comes to light.”
He referred to issues including what he described as an alleged cover-up, questions surrounding the condition of Disha Salian’s body, previous court proceedings and investigative records.
Ojha said the latest material came from a report submitted to the Home Ministry and concerns the circumstances in which Sachin Vaze was reinstated in June 2020.
Questions Raised Over Sachin Vaze’s Reinstatement
According to Ojha, the report states that Vaze was urgently reinstated on June 5, 2020, and subsequently assigned to the CIU.
Ojha further alleged that Vaze’s appointment to the unit did not comply with the applicable rules governing the required rank of officers.
“The rules required an officer of the rank of Police Inspector (PI) for the CIU, but Sachin Vaze did not meet this criterion; he was of a lower rank, yet he was appointed there in violation of the regulations.”
The significance of the document and whether Vaze’s reinstatement or posting breached any applicable regulations would ultimately depend on the contents of the official records and the findings of the competent authorities.
Ojha Makes Further Allegations
Ojha went beyond the issue of Vaze’s reinstatement, alleging that his return to service was connected to a wider conspiracy involving Salian’s death and its alleged cover-up.
He also linked the matter to allegations involving extortion and illegal drug activity.
Those are serious allegations and have not been established as facts by the information supplied for this report. They should therefore be understood as claims made by Ojha while seeking further investigation.
Ojha said the material had now been submitted to the CBI along with additional requests concerning the investigation.
Advocate Seeks Further CBI Action and High Court Oversight
According to Ojha, his latest communication to the CBI contains three additional demands.
He said he plans to approach the High Court with a fresh petition seeking custodial interrogation of the accused and asking for the investigation to proceed under the court’s supervision.
“We have submitted all these details to the CBI today. We have outlined three other important demands to the CBI in today’s letter, as we intend to file a fresh petition in the High Court seeking immediate custodial interrogation of the accused and requesting that the investigation proceed under High Court supervision.”
Whether those requests are accepted will depend on the relevant investigative and judicial authorities.
What Happened in the Disha Salian Case?
Disha Salian, who had briefly worked with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died in June 2020 after falling from the 12th floor of a building in Mumbai’s Malad area.
According to the case history cited in the supplied material, Salian died at approximately 2:25am on June 9, 2020.
The Malwani police registered an accidental death report and concluded that the death was a suicide, finding no evidence of foul play.
Questions surrounding Salian’s death subsequently generated considerable public and political attention, particularly following Sushant Singh Rajput’s death later that month.
What Did the SIT Find?
A state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) also examined the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death.
The SIT, formed in December 2023, similarly found no indication of foul play, according to the information supplied for this report.
That finding is important when assessing the latest claims. The allegations now being raised by Ojha represent his interpretation of newly cited material and his request for further investigation; they do not by themselves overturn the conclusions previously reported by the police or SIT.
CBI Investigation and What Happens Next
The submission of the new material places the focus back on the CBI and the authorities responsible for assessing the documents and allegations.
The key questions now include whether the Home Ministry report contains information that materially changes the understanding of Vaze’s reinstatement, whether the alleged procedural violations can be established from official records, and whether the material has any demonstrable connection to Salian’s death.
For now, the claims made by Ojha remain allegations. Any determination regarding criminal responsibility, conspiracy or wrongdoing would require findings from the investigating agency and, where applicable, the courts.
