Thackeray's Sarcastic Broadside: Why Not Name Modi, Trump in Disha Salian Probe?

In a fiery address that certainly didn't mince words, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray took a sharp, sarcastic swipe at the ongoing probe into the tragic death of Disha Salian. Speaking from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on September 17, 2026, Thackeray, known for his direct communication style, provocatively questioned the inquiry's scope, asking, "Why not also name Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump?" It was a rhetorical flourish, of course, but one clearly aimed at highlighting what he perceives as a politically charged and overly expansive investigation.

The pointed remarks came amidst persistent, politically motivated allegations attempting to link his family, particularly his son and MLA Aaditya Thackeray, to Salian's demise. Disha Salian, who was a former manager for Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died tragically on June 8, 2020, after falling from a 12th-floor apartment in Mumbai. Just six days later, Sushant Singh Rajput himself was found dead, leading to a swirl of speculation that often conflated the two events.

Thackeray unequivocally dismissed these claims as nothing short of a "character assassination" campaign. He made it abundantly clear that neither he nor his family had any connection whatsoever to Disha Salian's death. The political leader didn't stop there; he issued a stern warning, stating that his family would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone continuing to spread these "baseless allegations." It's a clear signal that he's prepared to fight back against what he views as unfair and targeted attacks.

Echoing his father's sentiments, Aaditya Thackeray has also consistently denied ever meeting or even knowing Disha Salian. He, too, has publicly decried the efforts to drag his name into the case, labeling them as a deliberate and evidence-free ploy designed solely to tarnish his reputation for political gain. This whole saga, it seems, has become a bitter political football, kicked back and forth between rival factions in Maharashtra's ever-turbulent political landscape.

These forceful denials from the Thackerays arrive just days after the Bombay High Court made a significant move, ordering the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch a fresh probe into Salian's death. This decision was spurred by a petition filed by Disha Salian's father, pushing for a thorough re-examination of the circumstances surrounding her tragic fall. Initially, Mumbai police had concluded it was a case of suicide, but the public discourse and various political statements kept the issue very much alive, eventually leading to this CBI involvement.

Following the High Court's directive, the CBI has indeed registered a case, embarking on its investigation. Interestingly, as of now, the central agency has not named any specific individuals as accused in the FIR. This detail, perhaps, further fueled Uddhav Thackeray's sarcastic outburst, implying a probe that, in his view, seems to be grasping at straws rather than following a clear investigative path.

Ultimately, Thackeray's strong reaction underscores the deep-seated frustration and political maneuvering that often accompany high-profile investigations in India. For him, and indeed for his son, the Disha Salian case has clearly transcended its original purpose, morphing into a weapon in the ongoing political battles within Maharashtra. It’s a stark reminder of how personal tragedies can unfortunately get entangled in the complex and often unforgiving world of politics.