The Bombay High Court has deemed the Mumbai police’s investigation into the death of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, as ineffective. The court expressed concern over the Maharashtra government’s handling of the case, highlighting numerous unanswered questions surrounding the investigation.
The Mumbai police had subsequently registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR). The High Court also made it clear that the option of registering an FIR and conducting a formal investigation remains open to the police if circumstances warrant such a course. The court questioned why the possibility of a proper criminal investigation should be closed altogether.
Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling off the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad area.
after conducting an inquiry, claimed that she died by suicide, her father Satish Salian filed a petition in the High Court last year, alleging his daughter was gang raped and murdered While the police. It also observed that the closure report submitted by the police could still be challenged by Salian’s father before the appropriate court.
Court Emphasizes Need for Lawful Investigation
The High Court has underscored the limitations of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) inquiries, stating that statements made during these processes do not hold the same weight as evidence gathered in formal criminal investigations.
During the proceedings, the court expressed concern over the emotional state of the petitioner, remarking, ‘He was in a state of shock; he may not be in the right…You also reopened after 3-4 years. Why are you closing the option of investigation altogether?’
The court reiterated its focus on the case at hand, emphasizing, ‘We do not care about the politicians. We are concerned with his case. A father has lost his daughter.’ This statement reflects the court’s commitment to ensuring a thorough and lawful investigation into the matter, independent of any political implications.
