The Central Bureau of Investigation has formally added Maharashtra Chief Minister's son Aaditya Thackeray and actor Rhea Chakraborty as respondents in its First Information Report connected to the death of journalist Disha Salian, who took her own life in May 2020. The development marks a significant expansion of a case that has remained in the public eye for years, drawing scrutiny not only to the Bollywood industry but also to prominent political families in Maharashtra.
Disha Salian, a 28-year-old aspiring journalist from Maharashtra, died by suicide at her Mumbai apartment after allegedly being blackmailed into providing sexual favours. According to her family and investigative reports, she had approached law enforcement multiple times before her death, claiming that a close associate of then-NTV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami had coerced her into complying with inappropriate demands under the threat of professional ruin.
The case triggered widespread outrage across India, reigniting debates about the pervasive "casting couch" culture within the Indian entertainment industry and exposing systemic failures in how complaints against powerful individuals were handled. Public protests, social media campaigns, and petitions to the Supreme Court pressed for a transparent and thorough investigation.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Mumbai Police initially registered the case under sections relating to criminal conspiracy, abetment to suicide, and intimidation. Later, the case was transferred to the CBI for a more independent probe. Over the years, multiple individuals have faced questioning, chargesheets, and bail hearings in connection with the investigation.
The addition of Aaditya Thackeray and Rhea Chakraborty to the CBI's FIR has sent ripples through both political and entertainment circles in Maharashtra. Legal analysts note that being named in an FIR does not equate to a finding of guilt, but it does signal that the investigative agency considers their involvement relevant enough to warrant formal documentation in the case record. Both individuals have yet to issue public statements on the matter as of now.
The Disha Salian case continues to serve as a focal point in conversations about accountability, institutional responsibility, and the safety of young women entering competitive industries in India.
