Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the death of former celebrity manager Disha Salian, opening a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death in 2020. The development comes days after the Bombay High Court directed the CBI to take over the case and register an FIR.
Salian, who had worked as a manager for several Bollywood personalities, died in Mumbai on June 8, 2020, after falling from a residential building in the Malad area. At the time, Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) rather than an FIR. Her death later became the subject of public attention, particularly because actor Sushant Singh Rajput, whom she had previously managed, died six days later.
The latest CBI action means the case will now undergo a formal central investigation, with investigators expected to examine evidence, statements, records and the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death.
Bombay High Court Ordered Fresh CBI Probe
The Bombay High Court’s decision on September 2, 2026, was an important turning point in the case. A division bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale directed the CBI to investigate the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death and to record the statement of her father, Satish Salian.
The court also directed Mumbai Police to hand over the case records to the CBI.
In its observations, the High Court criticised the length and nature of the earlier police investigation. The bench said the investigation had continued for about six years and that it raised more questions than it answered. The court also referred to what it described as discrepancies that required a proper and substantive investigation.
Importantly, the High Court made it clear that no individual should be treated as an accused unless sufficient material is found during the investigation. This means the registration of the FIR does not by itself establish criminal liability against any person.
Satish Salian’s Statement Recorded
As part of the initial CBI investigation, Disha Salian’s father Satish Salian appeared before the agency in Mumbai and recorded his statement. The statement was taken at the CBI office in the Bandra-Kurla Complex, and officials subsequently confirmed that the FIR had been registered in accordance with the High Court’s directions.
His statement is expected to form part of the material that investigators will examine as they reconstruct the events surrounding his daughter’s death.
Satish Salian had previously approached the courts seeking an independent investigation, raising allegations about the circumstances of the death. The CBI will now have to examine those claims against available evidence rather than relying only on earlier conclusions.
What the FIR Means
An FIR is the formal starting point for a criminal investigation when authorities receive information alleging a cognisable offence. It allows investigating agencies to collect evidence, question witnesses, examine records and take other legal steps required by the investigation.
In this case, the CBI’s FIR follows a direct judicial order. The agency is expected to investigate the circumstances of Salian’s death and examine whether there is evidence supporting any criminal allegations.
Some reports have referred to serious allegations, including claims of conspiracy, murder, gang rape and destruction of evidence. However, these remain allegations to be investigated, and the CBI’s registration of an FIR should not be interpreted as proof that such offences occurred or that any named person is guilty. The Bombay High Court specifically cautioned that individuals should not be treated as accused without sufficient material.
Names Mentioned in Reports Need Careful Context
Several media reports have discussed the names of prominent political and entertainment figures in connection with the case. Some reports say the FIR documents the need to examine the possible roles of individuals including Aaditya Thackeray, Dino Morea, Sooraj Pancholi and Rhea Chakraborty, among others.
However, the legal position is important: the High Court ordered that no one be treated as an accused unless investigators find sufficient material against them. The CBI will therefore need to establish facts through evidence before any conclusions can be drawn.
This distinction is particularly important in a case that has attracted intense public and media attention.
Connection With Sushant Singh Rajput’s Death
Disha Salian’s death has frequently been discussed alongside the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who died on June 14, 2020.
The timing of the two deaths led to widespread speculation about a possible connection. However, speculation alone does not establish a criminal link between the two cases.
The CBI had separately investigated Rajput’s death after the Maharashtra government ordered a central probe. According to PTI reporting, the agency later submitted a closure report stating that Rajput died by suicide, although that report had not yet been heard by the concerned court.
The new CBI investigation into Salian’s death is a separate legal process and will have to be assessed on its own evidence.
What Happens Next?
The CBI investigation is now expected to move into a detailed evidence-gathering phase. Investigators may examine previous police records, forensic material, witness statements, medical documents, digital evidence and other relevant records.
The agency will also have to assess claims made by Salian’s family and compare them with evidence collected during the earlier investigation.
The Bombay High Court has left open the possibility that the investigation could ultimately find that no criminal case is made out. In such a situation, the CBI would be required to submit an appropriate report to the court.
For now, the registration of the FIR represents the biggest development in the Disha Salian death case since her death in 2020. The investigation is at an early stage, and the central question remains whether the new probe will uncover evidence that changes the understanding of what happened.
As the CBI begins its work, the focus will now shift from years of speculation to evidence, legal procedure and the findings of the investigation.
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