Disha Salian FIR political conspiracy to target Thackeray family, alleges Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday alleged that the CBI's FIR in the Disha Salian death case was part of a political conspiracy by the Centre to malign the Thackeray family's image.
Addressing reporters, the Rajya Sabha MP said Mumbai Police had already conducted a detailed investigation into the case and had ruled out any connection between Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and the death of the former celebrity manager in June 2020.
The CBI has filed an FIR over Salian's death without naming any accused, following the Bombay High Court's directions on a petition filed by her father.
Raut questioned the circumstances under which the matter was taken to court and subsequently handed over to the CBI.
"The way the matter was taken to court, which gave an order (to hand over the case to CBI), is a conspiracy. It has specifically said to conduct a CBI probe but do not name anyone. Yet names are being taken in the media," the Sena (UBT) leader said.
He alleged that the CBI probe was being used as a political tool against Aaditya Thackeray, who has been raising issues against the Maharashtra government headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Raut also alleged that the development was intended either to divert attention from the agitation led by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange or to put pressure on Shiv Sena (UBT) to support the delimitation bill in Parliament.
The Bombay High Court on September 2 ordered a CBI investigation into Salian's death and criticised Mumbai Police for failing to register an FIR for six years. The court observed that the police investigation raised more questions than answers.
"This is a political conspiracy by Delhi to tarnish the image of the Thackeray family, which enjoys a place in the hearts of people," Raut said.
He further alleged that the FIR was being selectively leaked to the media, pointing out that only one page of the 16-page document had been shared.
Raut alleged that the Centre had earlier launched campaigns against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, the DMK, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
"The same people have started a campaign against the Thackeray family because of the ongoing Supreme Court case on the bow and arrow party symbol (allotted to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena)," he said.
Raut claimed the case had reached a crucial stage and that "someone" was worried about its outcome.
"If the judgement is given in an impartial way, Maharashtra politics will change, and the Thackeray family will again occupy the centrestage," he added.
Salian, 28, had briefly worked as the manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 12th floor of a residential building in Mumbai's Malad area.
Mumbai Police had registered an accidental death report (ADR) in the case and later said its inquiry had concluded that Salian died by suicide. A week later, Rajput was found dead at his Bandra apartment on June 14, 2020, leading to speculation over a possible link between the two deaths. (with inputs from PTI)
