# Disha Salian’s father serves Rs 500 crore notice to Aaditya Thackeray 2026-09-20T23:11:41+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Satish Salian, father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian, served a Rs 500-crore defamation notice to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray at the gates of Matoshree in Mumbai on Saturday. The notice responds to Thackeray's allegation that Salian's push to reopen his daughter's death case is a "political conspiracy." Thackeray's lawyers accepted the notice amid heavy police presence and a large media contingent. Disha Salian died in June 2020 after falling from a high-rise in Malad. The Mumbai Police initially ruled out foul play and called it suicide. In September 2026, the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe, pulling up the police for failing to register an FIR for six years. The CBI registered an FIR on September 14 that named several people, including Thackeray, though the High Court said no one should be treated as an accused without sufficient evidence. Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that Salian was being used as a "puppet" by BJP leaders. Salian rejected this, saying only God can control him. His lawyer Nilesh Ojha said Thackeray should apologise or face legal action. The CBI investigation is ongoing. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The Disha Salian case has become a political battlefield. Rediff.com and Hindustan Times both report the Rs 500-crore defamation notice delivery, but the outlets frame the subtext differently. Rediff leads with Sanjay Raut's accusation that Salian is a "puppet" controlled by BJP leaders to target the Thackerays, reflecting the Sena (UBT) line. Hindustan Times gives equal weight to Salian's rebuttal, he says only God can control him, and chronicles the rival Sena faction's attack on BJP leaders for inaction. Neither outlet adopts a stance, both report claims from all sides. The story is driven by cross-allegations ahead of the CBI probe, which will determine whether Salian's changed account has evidence to support it. ## Coverage - rediff.com (pro government) Leads with Sanjay Raut's puppet claim against Salian, foregrounds Sena (UBT) political accusation - hindustantimes.com (neutral report) Straight wire-style report on notice delivery, CBI probe and denials, no slant - hindustantimes.com (neutral report) Straight wire-style report on notice delivery, CBI probe and denials, no slant Tags: Aaditya Thackeray, Bombay High Court, CBI, Disha Salian, Matoshree, Satish Salian Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/disha-salians-father-serves-rs-500-crore-defamation-notice-to-aaditya-thackeray/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/disha-salians-father-serves-rs-500-crore-defamation-notice-to-aaditya-thackeray/#story-in-brief