Actor Sooraj Pancholi has broken his silence over reports linking his name to the investigation into the death of celebrity manager Disha Salian. The actor has categorically denied ever meeting Salian or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and said he has no connection to the case.Salian, who had worked as the manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died after falling from a building in Mumbai’s Malad area in June 2020. Her death has continued to attract public and political attention, with renewed scrutiny surrounding the circumstances of the incident.
Sooraj Pancholi says he has no connection to Disha Salian case
Sooraj addressed the reports in an Instagram statement, saying his name has repeatedly been mentioned in connection with Salian’s death over the past few years. The actor said he had chosen not to respond to every report but felt compelled to speak after the speculation continued.“For the last few years, my name has been dragged into the controversy surrounding the unfortunate demise of Late Disha Salian through various media reports and statements. I want to say this out loud and very clearly! I have never met Late Disha Salian in my life, directly or indirectly. I have also never met Aditya Thackeray in my life!” he wrote.Calling the repeated references to his name “unfair” and “extremely upsetting”, Sooraj said there was no evidence connecting him to the matter.“It is honestly very unfair and extremely upsetting to see my name being dragged into something that I have absolutely nothing to do with, especially when there is no evidence or proof connecting me to this matter,” he added.The actor also said that he had previously been questioned by investigating agencies in connection with the matter. According to Sooraj, his statement was recorded by the CBI and police several years ago.“I have stayed quiet for a long time because I did not want to keep responding to every report or every story written about me. But when the same thing keeps happening again and again, there comes a point where you have to speak for yourself,” he said.Sooraj further stated that he remains willing to cooperate with investigators if required.“Regarding this matter, I have already been investigated by the CBI / police and my statement was recorded by the agencies almost 4–5 years ago. I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE! If any investigating agency feels that they need to question me again or require any further information from me, I am completely willing to cooperate and make myself available for any investigation,” he wrote.
Sooraj urges people to distinguish between reports and facts
Sooraj also appealed to the public to verify information before forming opinions about people whose names are being discussed in connection with the case.“I strongly support a fair and thorough CBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Late Disha Salian,” the actor said.At the same time, he called for scrutiny of what he described as “malicious propaganda and false narratives” surrounding the case. Sooraj said that a person’s reputation should not be damaged without evidence.“Someone’s death should never become a reason to destroy another person’s reputation without evidence,” he said.The actor also cautioned people against treating media discussions or social media claims as established facts.“And to everyone who is reading this please don’t believe everything you see on the news or on social media! A headline is not evidence. A debate is not evidence. Someone saying something on television does not make it a fact,” he wrote.Sooraj went on to highlight the impact that such speculation can have on individuals and their families.“Please verify things before forming an opinion about someone’s life and character. Because behind every name being discussed on television is a real person, with a real family and a real life,” he said.Concluding his statement, Sooraj reiterated that he has no connection with the matter and expressed faith in the legal process and investigating agencies.“I have faith in the law. I have faith in the investigating agencies. And I have faith that ultimately, the truth will come out,” he wrote.“Let the facts speak. Let the investigation speak. Let the truth speak. Jai Hind.”
What happened in Disha Salian’s case?
Disha Salian, who had worked as a celebrity manager and was associated professionally with Sushant Singh Rajput, died after falling from the 12th floor of a building in Mumbai’s Malad area at around 2:25 am on June 9, 2020.The Malwani police initially registered an accidental death report. Subsequent investigations have examined the circumstances surrounding her death, with authorities previously reporting that they found no evidence of foul play. A Special Investigation Team constituted by the Maharashtra government in 2023 also reportedly found no evidence indicating foul play.The matter has once again come under scrutiny following developments involving the CBI. Reports have said that the agency registered an FIR after examining a complaint submitted by Disha’s father, Satish Salian, and his statement recorded during proceedings.According to advocate Nilesh Ojha, who represents Disha’s father, the FIR names Aaditya Thackeray, Rohan Roy, Rhea Chakraborty and former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.The FIR was registered after the agency examined the complaint submitted by Disha’s father and his statement recorded during the proceedings. Sooraj, meanwhile, has maintained that he has no connection with Disha or the case and has reiterated his willingness to cooperate with investigators if required.
