15 September,2026 02:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Disha Salian was the former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. FILE PIC
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Raut and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar on Tuesday questioned the political context surrounding the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Disha Salian's death.
Raut said that his party has no objection to an impartial investigation but alleged that the case is being exploited for political motives, while Pawar linked the CBI's activity to the possibility of early elections, news agency ANI reported.
Salian was the former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. On Monday, the CBI registered a first information report (FIR) in connection with her death, naming no accused, following the Bombay High Court's direction on a petition filed by her father.
Raut further claimed that his party had never opposed a CBI inquiry, but alleged that the matter was being repeatedly raised to target party leader Aaditya Thackeray despite earlier investigations, which he said established that Thackeray had no connection with the case.
"The way the matter was taken to court, which gave an order (to hand over the case to CBI), is a conspiracy. It has specifically said to conduct a CBI probe but do not name anyone. Yet names are being taken in the media," the Sena (UBT) leader said.
Raut said he had earlier refrained from commenting on the matter as it was a sensitive case involving a young woman and her family.
"Disha Salian's death was unfortunate. The Mumbai Police have investigated the matter multiple times. The integrity and impartiality of the Mumbai Police cannot be questioned," Raut stated.
Raut said the investigation into the case had been completed and a closure report had also been submitted during the tenure of the present government.
"According to the police report, Aaditya Thackeray had no connection whatsoever to the case," he stated.
Raut alleged that the matter was being brought up repeatedly for political reasons.
"This is tarnishing the reputation of Disha Salian and her family. A sensitive matter has been turned into a political battleground," Raut said.
He further said that when the matter reached the court and a CBI inquiry was ordered, it was clarified that the investigation should not proceed by treating anyone as an accused from the outset.
"The recent discourse surrounding this case in certain media outlets is part of a political conspiracy," Raut alleged.
He added that the Thackeray family holds a distinct place in Maharashtra and alleged that attempts were being made to defame Balasaheb Thackeray's family.
"We have no objection if the CBI conducts an impartial investigation. We never opposed a CBI inquiry, but the entire issue is being exploited for political motives," Raut said.
Raut further stated that the matter was sub judice and a legal case could not be built merely on statements or media reports.
Responding to Pawar's remarks regarding Aaditya Thackeray's name being linked to the case, Raut described the issue as politically motivated. He claimed that the Supreme Court's upcoming verdict could bring major changes in Maharashtra politics and impact national politics as well.
"An atmosphere of political pressure is being deliberately created ahead of this. Pressure tactics are being used to secure support on the issue of delimitation," Raut alleged.
He also said Aaditya Thackeray remained at the forefront of the fight against injustice and corruption in Maharashtra.
"Attempts to stop Aaditya Thackeray will not succeed," Raut said.
On reports related to the High Court and the alleged leak of FIR details, Raut questioned how only one page of a 16-page FIR had surfaced.
"If the FIR is of 16 pages, how did only one page leak? Why were news reports being aired based only on that page?" he asked.
Pawar, meanwhile, asserted that the sudden surge in CBI activity in the Disha Salian death case was due to political manoeuvring ahead of upcoming polls. He speculated that the intensified activity could indicate that elections may take place earlier than scheduled.
Speaking to reporters, Pawar defended Aaditya Thackeray and expressed confidence that he would be cleared in the case, as he said had happened during the earlier investigation into the death of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
"During the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput's case earlier, Aaditya Thackeray's name was mentioned, but he was later cleared. We believe he will be cleared in this case as well. The 2029 elections, which were supposed to take place, may actually happen earlier. Whenever the CBI becomes active, politics gets involved, and because of this, the 2029 elections could be a reason for this," he said.
(With ANI inputs)
