The Bombay High Court on Wednesday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR and conduct a thorough probe in the death of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. 

Disha Salian was found dead on June 8, 2020, after falling off the 14th floor of a residential building in Mumbai's Malad area, days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra flat. The city police then registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in Salian's case.

A bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale said that no one must be treated as an accused unless the Investigating Officer finds sufficient material against any person.

The order came on a petition filed by Satish Salian, father of Disha Salian, alleging lapses by Mumbai Police in the investigation into his daughter's death in June 2020.

The court ordered the Mumbai police to hand over all case papers to the CBI.

"In case the investigation reveals that no case is made out, then the CBI shall file the appropriate summary report before the court concerned," the bench said.

Satish Salian would be at liberty to challenge the report, the court said.

"The Court has directed the CBI to record the statement of Satish Salian, register an FIR, appoint a senior officer to conduct the investigation, and the Malvani Police Station to hand over all records to the CBI.

Furthermore, action will be taken against anyone against whom evidence is found. No one will be named as an accused if there is no evidence against them. Additionally, if the CBI submits a negative report, we have the right to raise objections and file a protest petition.

The court has explicitly stated this in its order. I thank the court," lawyer Nilesh Ojha, representing Salian's father and petitioner, said shortly after the court order. 

Ojha had earlier alleged, "It was simple: influential accused were involved, and some senior police officers were also involved.

As we have provided proof on record. All these things were affecting the situation. There were Supreme Court guidelines, Home Ministry guidelines, and directions from the Constitution Bench; an FIR was mandatory, yet they didn't do it."

Source: ndtv