Disha Salian's father has sent Aaditya Thackeray a ₹500 crore defamation notice

Aaditya Thackeray has denied any connection with Disha Salian or her death. | Photo credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday (September 17, 2026) denied that his family had any connection with the case and warned of legal action if what he described as a campaign of “character assassination” continued.

Former celebrity manager Disha Salian’s father, Satish Salian, has served Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh with a ₹500 crore defamation notice over remarks made about him as he pursues a fresh probe into his daughter’s death.

The notice seeks ₹500 crore as compensation for what it describes as “false, malicious and defamatory allegations” against Mr Salian and for “falsely portraying his pursuit of justice as politically motivated, mala fide and ulterior motive”.

Referring to Mr. Thackeray, the notice said, “Being specifically named as one of the principal perpetrators in the FIR containing allegations of gang-rape, murder, conspiracy and destruction/suppression of evidence, you have decided to intervene in the above proceedings and have actively opposed his (Satish’s) petition seeking registration of an FIR and an independent investigation into these allegations.”

Mr Thackeray on Wednesday denied any connection with Disha or her death. “I have never met or known Disha Salian. Associating my name with this tragic case is a deliberate attempt at character assassination without evidence by a few individuals with clear political and personal motives for nearly 6 years,” he said in a post on X.

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a fresh FIR on September 14 following the Bombay High Court’s September 2 order directing an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Salian’s death.

Disha (28), former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died on June 8, 2020 after allegedly falling from a residential building in Mumbai’s Malad. Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence six days later.

Uddhav warns of legal action

“We have nothing to do with this case. Aaditya also said that. This problem is not only about me. Such character assassination can happen with you too,” the former Maharashtra chief minister told reporters.

Mr. Uddhav said his group remained calm while the Special Investigation Team investigated the case. “Those who want to investigate can continue to investigate. But enough of these senseless character assassinations or we will initiate legal action,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published – 18 Sep 2026 0:35 AM IST