Bombay HC Questions State Over Delay in Disha Salian Death Probe
The Bombay High Court on Thursday observed that the father of Disha Salian, manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, must get answers surrounding his daughter's death, questioning the state government over the delay in completing the investigation.
A bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and R R Bhonsale was hearing a petition filed by Disha's father, Satish Salian, who approached the court seeking a fair and thorough probe into the case.
During the proceedings, Public Prosecutor Shishir Hire questioned why the family had approached the court after a gap of five years. In response, the bench questioned what the government had done during that time, asking why the police had failed to register an offence and complete the probe in accordance with the law.
The judges noted that the parents might not have recovered from the shock of their daughter's death, which could explain the delay in moving the court. The bench also pointed out that the authorities themselves had reopened the inquiry after three to four years.
Addressing the political context surrounding the matter, the court made it clear that it was not concerned with political figures or allegations. The bench stated that its focus was solely on the father's petition and the manner in which the investigation was carried out.
The bench raised serious questions regarding the accidental death report inquiry conducted under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court questioned how the inquiry was handled, asking whether the investigation conducted over six years was futile after being restarted.
The court also highlighted specific alleged shortcomings in the panchnama, including the absence of direct CCTV footage, inconsistencies in witness statements regarding a closed door, and non-compliance with post-mortem guidelines.
The state maintained that Disha's death was accidental and that she had died by suicide. Hire argued that her parents' statements were recorded following the incident and that their current stance differed from their original statements. He denied any foul play and stated that the post-mortem had been conducted under Covid-19 restrictions.
