Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 17: Satish Salian, father of late celebrity manager Disha Salian, has issued a Rs 500-crore defamation notice to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray over statements concerning his daughter’s death. The notice also names former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and seeks an apology, withdrawal of the statements and compensation. The recipients have reportedly been given seven days to comply.

According to Salian’s lawyers, Satish Salian plans to personally visit Matoshree in Mumbai on Saturday along with his lawyers to serve the notice to Aaditya Thackeray. His legal team has also requested Mumbai Police to provide appropriate security during the visit.

The legal action follows a social media post by Aaditya Thackeray on September 16 in which he denied ever meeting Disha Salian or having any acquaintance with her. Thackeray said attempts had been made for the past six years to link his name to the case without evidence and described the campaign against him as politically motivated and aimed at damaging his reputation.

Thackeray also called for the authorities to conduct the investigation independently, without political interference, and said media discussions or what he described as media trials could not alter the facts.

The legal notice, according to reports, alleges that statements by Thackeray and Deshmukh portrayed Satish Salian’s efforts to seek a fresh investigation into his daughter’s death as politically motivated. The notice seeks an unconditional public apology and Rs 500 crore in damages.

The development comes amid renewed investigation into Disha Salian’s death. The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered an FIR in the case following the fresh legal developments. Thackeray has denied having any connection with Disha Salian and has rejected the allegations against him.