In a significant development, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Upadhayay and Justice Amit Borkar will hear the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against Aditya Thackrey concerning the Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Salian murder cases. The case is listed as item number 12 in the causelist before the Hon’ble the bench of Chief Justice Bombay on July 31, 2024.
The respondents, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the State Police, are required to submit their status reports and update the High Court on the progress of the investigations in both cases.
This PIL was filed in September 2023 by the ‘Supreme Court & High Court & Litigants Association’ through its President, Sh. Rashid Khan Pathan. Following the filing of the PIL, the Home Minister of Maharashtra, Sh. Devendra Fadnavis, constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT comprises Addl. Commissioner of Police Rajeev Jain, DCP Ajay Bansal, and Sr. P.I. Chimaji Adhav.
MLA Sh. Nitesh Rane raised objections to the inclusion of Sr. P.I. Shri Chimaji Adhav in the SIT, citing concerns over his integrity and previous handling of the Disha Salian case. Activists have also questioned Adhav’s involvement, noting that he has not registered an FIR or recreated the scene of Disha Salian’s death despite sufficient evidence. Allegations suggest that Adhav might be attempting to protect the accused, Aditya Thackrey.
In the Disha Salian case, the earlier Investigation Officer (IO) from Malvani Police Station is accused of forging investigation records. As per the Hon’ble Bombay High Court ruling in Sudhir Vora vs. Commissioner of Police, Mumbai (2004 Cr. l. J. 2278), the investigation cannot be conducted by any police officer attached to the implicated police station.
On the hearing date, the High Court will address the PIL and three interim applications. Among these, the prime suspect, Shri Aditya Thackrey, has filed an intervention application (IA (St.) No. 19336 of 2023) to be added as a party respondent. Since the affidavit given by Shri Aditya Thackrey in support of his interim application is found to be ex facie false, the petitioner, Shri Rashid Khan Pathan, has filed an application (IA (St.) No. 19612 of 2023) seeking action for contempt and perjury against Aditya Thackrey and his advocate.
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