Rs 500 Crore Notice To Aaditya Thackeray In Sushant Singh's Ex-Manager Case - NDTV

**Rs 500 Crore Defamation Notice Served on Aaditya Thackeray Over Sushant Singh Rajput‑Related Allegations**

Mumbai – A notice demanding Rs 500 crore in damages was served on Maharashtra’s Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray and former Mumbai police commissioner Anil Deshmukh by the father of journalist Disha Salian. The notice, filed through a senior advocate, accuses the officials of “defamatory and malicious” statements that linked Salian’s mysterious death to the ongoing investigations surrounding Sushant Singh Rajput’s former manager, Shashi Tharoor. According to the filing, Thackeray’s public comments implied Salian had been part of a “conspiracy” to silence voices critical of the Rajput case, thereby tarnishing the reputation of the deceased journalist and her family.

The controversy stems from a series of developments in two high‑profile investigations. In 2023, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe into Salian’s death after forensic experts highlighted irregularities in the post‑mortem report—specifically, broken teeth and the absence of facial injuries that conflicted with the official cause of death. In parallel, the CBI continues to examine the murder of Sushant Singh Rajput, focusing on the role of his ex‑manager, whose alleged involvement has been a flashpoint for public debate. Salian’s father alleges that Thackeray’s remarks, made during a televised interview, suggested a direct nexus between Salian’s demise and the Rajput case, prompting the hefty defamation claim.

Aaditya Thackeray responded by denying any personal interaction with Salian, stating, “I have never met Disha Salian.” He called for a “fresh, unbiased probe” into the journalist’s death, urging investigators to avoid “distractions” that could cloud the inquiry. The CBI has now appointed senior officer Seema Pahuja to lead the Salian case, emphasizing its commitment to a transparent investigation. As the defamation notice proceeds through the courts, legal analysts note that the Rs 500 crore demand is largely symbolic, intended to underscore the seriousness with which the Salian family views perceived slights to their reputation.