Disha Salian’s father had filed the plea
Mumbai: Bombay HC on Friday concluded the hearing of and reserved for orders a petition filed by Satish Salian, father of the late celebrity manager Disha Salian, who had sought a fair and thorough probe after alleging that she was assaulted and murdered and did not die by suicide on June 8, 2020.
The injuries included a skull fracture, said the state. Justifying the inquiry, Hirey said witness statements and forensics ruled out foul play or any alleged sexual assault. Thackeray’s senior counsel Sudeep Pasbola said the state’s line of probe was not barred by law but also cannot extend indefinitely. He said Satish has an alternative remedy in law to first go to a magistrate with a private complaint if no FIR is registered. He argued that the petition against Thackeray was “motivated”, untenable and stemmed from a “political rivalry”. Ojha said since the father wants a CBI probe, there was no alternative other than approaching HC since a magistrate has no powers to direct such a probe. HC said it was concerned not with any political overtone but only with the sanctity of law to provide the family closure.
He cited judgments to say HC is not without power under its writ jurisdiction to direct registration of an FIR to ensure complete justice.