- Uddhav Thackeray alleged political motives behind CBI naming his son in FIR on Disha Salian's death
- Thackeray warned CBI against character assassination and hinted at possible legal action
- Aaditya Thackeray also denied any connection to Disha Salian's death in an online post
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has broken his silence after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) named his son Aaditya Thackeray in an FIR in connection with the death of Disha Salian, former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Speaking to reporters in Sambhajinagar, he claimed the case is driven by political motives and suggested he and his son had nothing to do with it.
"The incident was tragic, but why are we being dragged into this? We have nothing to do with it. It is completely politically motivated. Even your names could be dragged into this tomorrow," Thackeray said.
Read: "Never Met": Aaditya Thackeray Reacts To Sushant Rajput Ex-Manager Murder FIR Naming Him
He further quipped that the probe could go to the extent of naming those far irrelevant to the probe, like US President Donald Trump. "Why don't you drag PM Modi and Trump's names into this as well?" He asked.
The former Maharashtra chief minister said the CBI must not do "character assassination" and warned of legal action.
"Conduct your probe but do not indulge in character assassination. We will be forced to take legal action if character assassination. We never met, and we have absolutely no connection to this," the Sena (UBT) chief said.
His son, Aaditya Thackeray, too, has denied any link to Salian's death. In an online post yesterday, he said he never met Salian, and linking him to her death is a "deliberate, evidence-free attempt at character assassination by a few individuals with clear political and personal motives."
Read: Rs 500 Crore Notice To Aaditya Thackeray In Sushant Singh's Ex-Manager Case
Disha Salian's father, Satish Salian, has sent a legal notice seeking damages of Rs 500 crore from Aaditya Thackeray and NCP (SP) leader and former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh for portraying the case as "politically motivated."
Salian was found dead on June 8, 2020, after she fell from the 14th floor of a building in Mumbai. Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his flat six days later. An accidental death report (ADR) was then filed over Salian's death.
The CBI recently took over the probe after a High Court order and lodged an FIR based on a statement by Satish Salian. The agency has invoked sections of murder, gang rape, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, and providing false information.
Aaditya Thackeray and actors Dino Morea and Rhea Chakraborty were among the prominent figures named in the FIR. It also stated that Uddhav Thackeray and others were involved in the cover-up, alleging a misuse of public funds, manpower, and police machinery for shielding the offenders.
Besides the Thackerays, others named in the case have also denied any role in Salian's death.
