Bombay High Court orders CBI probe into Disha Salian Death

Mumbai: Observing that there were "too many glaring discrepancies" in the investigation into the death of Disha Salian that warranted a proper and substantive probe, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Salian, 28, had reportedly fallen from the 12th floor of a building in Malad, Mumbai, in June 2020. Her death occurred five days before the body of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found at his rented residence in Bandra on June 14. Salian briefly worked as manager of Rajput. BJP leader Nitesh Rane had alleged that the two deaths were linked.

Read more: Bombay HC orders CBI probe into Disha Salian death, days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead


The division bench of justices Sarang V Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale observed that the police inquiry conducted under Section 174 of the CrPC over nearly six years was "inadequate and insufficient" and "raises more questions than it answers".

The bench, however, made it clear that it was not recording any finding against any individual and that the CBI would have complete freedom to investigate all aspects of the case. "We do not want to interfere with the investigation in any manner. The investigating agency shall have full freedom to investigate all aspects of this case in accordance with law," the court said.

Read more: Bombay HC orders CBI probe into Disha Salian death, days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead

Among the circumstances flagged by the court was the delay in conducting the spot panchnama. Though the police had reached the building shortly after the incident, the panchnama was conducted only between 9:40 am and 9:45 am on June 9, 2020 - more than nine hours after the incident. The HC said the delay remained unexplained and "raises reasonable suspicion about the steps taken by the police right at the beginning."

The court also questioned the timing of the accidental death report (ADR). The incident/death was recorded as having occurred at 2:25 am, while the ADR was registered at 3:07 am. The ADR mentioned that statements of Salian's parents had already been recorded. However, her father's statement indicated that he received a call from Malvani police at about 3 am, reached the hospital at 4 am and learnt of his daughter's death there. The court said it was not explained how reference to his statement could have been made in an ADR registered at 3:07 am.

The bench also noted CCTV footage showing police officers inside the building and the flat at various times between about 1 am and 2:14 am. It said there was no reference in the ADR or subsequent investigation explaining why the officers had gone there, who they were or what investigation they had conducted.