The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered an FIR in the 2020 death of Disha Salian, beginning a court-directed inquiry into allegations of investigative lapses, suppression of records and the possible destruction or fabrication of evidence. The agency has not named any accused at this stage and is expected to identify individuals for questioning only after examining the available material.
Salian, who worked as actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s manager, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai. Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence a week later. The deaths have been the subject of multiple investigations and public allegations, but the CBI FIR concerns the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death and the handling of the initial inquiry.
According to the report, Salian’s father, Satish Salian, recorded his statement before the CBI last week. The statement was converted into the FIR on September 13. A CBI official said the case was registered pursuant to the Bombay High Court’s direction and that names would be added only if the investigation establishes involvement.
The FIR alleges that certain public servants and police officers require investigation for the alleged destruction or suppression of case papers, files and other public records, fabrication of official records, and misuse of public funds, manpower and police machinery for unlawful purposes. These are allegations recorded in the FIR and are not findings of guilt.
The agency is expected to examine documents and allegations, record statements from police personnel involved in the initial inquiry, inspect the scene, question key witnesses and conduct technical analysis. The FIR also calls for the questioning of autopsy and forensic officials, building security guards and other people connected with the case.
The FIR lists several political figures, public officials, police officers and other individuals whose roles, according to the document, require investigation. The inclusion of a person’s name in the FIR does not establish criminal responsibility. The CBI’s stated position, as reported, is that no person will be treated as an accused unless evidence emerges during the probe.
The case follows criticism from the Bombay High Court of the earlier investigation. The court reportedly noted that the police inquiry had raised “more questions than answers” and referred to “glaring discrepancies”. It also took note of the fact that Salian’s family had not received the post-mortem report or the accidental death report.
The High Court ordered a CBI investigation on September 2 and directed the agency not to name anyone as an accused without evidence. The immediate next steps are the scrutiny of records, examination of witnesses and technical investigation before the agency decides whether further names or charges are warranted.
