15 September,2026 07:55 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Supriya Sule. Pic/X
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Monday described the Central Bureau of Investigation's registration of an FIR in the death case of Disha Salian, former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, as "surprising", and claimed that the incumbent government had earlier "closed the case".
Sule, however, avoided giving a direct response when asked whether she believed the latest development could be part of a political conspiracy. She said "anything is possible" and alleged that central investigative agencies had been misused against political opponents.
Speaking to reporters in Pune after offering prayers at the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal, the Baramati MP said she would speak to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut to understand the latest developments in the case.
"I was surprised to hear how this (registration of an FIR by CBI) happened because it is the same government that had closed the case. I do not understand what is happening," Sule said.
Asked whether she viewed the development as a possible political conspiracy, Sule referred to what she called "ICE" - Income Tax, CBI and Enforcement Directorate - and alleged that these agencies had been used against people who were subsequently inducted into the ruling party.
"Anything is possible. You will remember 'ICE', Income Tax, CBI and ED. These agencies were used against people, and then those people were taken into their own party. So, anything can happen in the government nowadays," she added.
Sule's remarks came a day after officials said the CBI had registered an FIR in connection with Disha Salian's death. The agency did not name any accused in the FIR, in compliance with directions issued by the Bombay High Court.
On September 2, the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI investigation into Salian's death while criticising the Mumbai Police for failing to register an FIR for six years. The court observed that the local police investigation "raises more questions than answers".
The CBI registered the FIR on September 13 and invoked provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy, gang rape, murder, disappearance of evidence and public servants allegedly disobeying the law or framing incorrect records to protect offenders.
The High Court's division bench of Justices Sarang V Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale had also observed that the investigation could not continue indefinitely. The bench highlighted "glaring discrepancies" in the initial probe and criticised the local police for treating the matter solely as an accidental death for several years.
Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 12th floor of a residential building in Mumbai's Malad area. Six days later, on June 14, Rajput was found dead at his apartment in Bandra.
Rajput's death triggered widespread public attention and eventually led to a separate CBI investigation. The agency later submitted a closure report in that case, concluding that Rajput had died by suicide. The report remains pending before the competent court.
While directing Mumbai Police to transfer all documents related to Salian's death to the CBI, the High Court instructed the central agency not to name anyone as an accused at this stage.
"Nobody shall be treated as an accused unless, in the opinion of the investigating officer, there are sufficient grounds to raise reasonable suspicion against him depending on the material collected during the investigation," the bench had stated.
During her interaction with reporters, Sule also responded to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's remarks that India's electoral process was the most transparent in the world.
"That is what he feels. In a strong democracy, everyone has the right to speak. I have experienced that myself," she said.
Asked about Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement that the BJP would engage in dialogue with Gen Z, Sule described it as an internal matter of the party.
Sule also commented on the BRICS Summit and the discussions held during the meeting, saying there was no official statement yet detailing what had been discussed.
"No official statement has been issued yet on the details of what was discussed at the BRICS Summit. So, let the government first issue a statement, and then we will comment on it," the NCP (SP) leader added.
She also highlighted the difficulties faced by farmers while speaking about the Ganesh festival, which began on Monday.
(With inputs from PTI)
