Aaditya Thackeray breaks silence on CBI FIR in Disha Salian's death: ‘Never met her, attempt at character assassination’ | India News - Hindustan Times

**Aaditya Thackeray Responds to CBI FIR in Disha Salian’s Death**

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a first‑information report (FIR) probing the death of Disha Salian, a former manager of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, after new information surfaced linking several political figures to the case. Salian, who was found dead in a hotel room in Mumbai in 2020, has been at the centre of a protracted investigation that has drawn scrutiny from the media, activists and opposition parties. The FIR, filed in early September 2026, alleges that certain individuals may have attempted to influence the course of the inquiry, prompting a flurry of statements from public figures.

In a press conference held later that day, Aaditya Thackeray, son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and a prominent leader of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav) faction, categorically denied any personal connection with Salian. “I have never met Disha Salian,” he asserted, adding that the FIR’s focus on him was “an attempt at character assassination.” Thackeray emphasized that his political work has been confined to Maharashtra’s development agenda and that he had no role in any aspect of the investigation or the events surrounding Salian’s death. He called for the inquiry to be conducted without “political vendetta” and urged the media to avoid speculation that could tarnish reputations without evidence.

Opposition leaders reacted sharply to the development. Maharashtra’s former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis warned that “it is improper to engage in speculation” and urged the CBI to keep the probe free from partisan pressures. Meanwhile, BJP MP Rahul Raut suggested that the renewed CBI scrutiny was timed to coincide with the Shiv Sena’s upcoming campaign against the Fadnavis‑led government, implying a political motive behind the FIR. The CBI, for its part, has said it will pursue the investigation in accordance with the law and has not disclosed any specific details linking Thackeray or other politicians to the case. The FIR and the ensuing statements are expected to keep the controversy alive as the state heads toward the next electoral cycle.