The Hon’ble High Court, during today’s proceedings, took exception to Aditya Thackeray’s intervention in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL), emphasizing that as an accused, he has no locus standi to object to the PIL.
The court scheduled the PIL for its next hearing on February 5, 2025.
The CBI also made its appearance in the case and requested a copy of the petition, indicating their interest to participate the case.
Mumbai, January 23, 2025 – The High Court, presided over by Chief Justice Shri Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre, held a crucial hearing today on the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the gang rape and murder of Disha Salian as well as the murder of Sushant Singh Rajput, with the main accused being Aditya Thackeray.
The PIL which is filed by the Supreme Court and High Courts’ Litigants’ Association through its President Sh. Rashid Khan Pathan, has highlighted the allegations of gang rape, murder, and a cover-up to save high profile accused, including Aditya Thackeray, the prime accused.
Advocate Vijay Kurle, representing the petitioner, informed the court that after the filing of the PIL, the state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case. However, he argued that further judicial directions are required to ensure a fair and comprehensive investigation into the alleged crimes, including gang rape and murder.
During the proceedings, the Chief Justice questioned the lawyer representing Aditya Thackeray, the prime accused, regarding the legitimacy of their intervention in the PIL. The court directed Thackeray’s lawyers Sh. Sudeep Pasbola to go through the case laws relied by the petitioner and asked him to come prepared with their reply at the next hearing which is scheduled on 5th February 2025.
In a significant directive, the court also instructed Thackeray’s counsel to furnish copies of their intervention application to the petitioner and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Chief Justice emphasized that the petitioner’s application opposing the intervention—highlighting allegations of perjury and contempt—was supported by multiple case laws, which Thackeray’s lawyers were advised to study.
Today the matter was listed as Item No. 37 on the court’s schedule, saw limited arguments today due to the absence of the primary arguing counsels for the petitioner. Advocates Vijay Kurle and Hania Shaikh appeared on behalf of the petitioner. The court adjourned the case for 5th February 2025.
The PIL alleges that actor Sushant Singh Rajput and manager Disha Salian were victims of premeditated murder. The petitioner has named Aditya Thackeray as the prime accused and also accused journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and others of circulating misleading information to divert attention and protect the culprits.
Key Allegations and Evidence
The petitioner in his affidavit had said that the mobile tower records shows the presence of Aditya Thackeray at the site of Disha Salian’s murder on June 8, 2020. Thackeray in response to these allegations had earlier claimed he was at a hospital that day due to his maternal grandfather’s passing. However, the evidences proved that the said defense as false, as his maternal grandfather passed away on June 14, 2020, not June 8.
The petitioner also highlighted significant attempts by the then Police Officer and the some government officials to destroy evidences and to do cover-ups to save Aditya Thackrey. It included :
(i) Detention of IPS Officer Vinay Tiwari: The officer, who was investigating Sushant Singh Rajput’s death and requested case files related to Disha Salian’s death, was detained by Mumbai Municipal Council officials under the pretext of COVID-19 protocols.
(ii) Refusal to Share Case Papers: Mumbai Police did not provide the Disha Salian murder’s case files to Bihar Police, who were conducting a parallel investigation into FIR registered in Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
(iii) These actions occurred under the influence of Uddhav Thackeray, then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and Aditya Thackeray, who held a ministerial position at the time.
CBI Steps In
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) appeared in High Court and requested a copy of the PIL, signaling their involvement in the case’s judicial proceedings.
Perjury and Contempt Application
A separate application seeking perjury and contempt action against Aditya Thackeray and his advocate Rahul Arote was also listed for hearing. The petitioner accused them of submitting false affidavits and attempting to mislead the judiciary. The application asserts that such actions undermine the majesty and dignity of the court and seeks stringent legal action and punishment under contempt of Court’s Act, 1971 and sec 191,192,193,199,200,209,etc of IPC.
Next Hearing on February 5
The High Court adjourned the matter, directing all parties to be prepared for the next hearing on February 5, 2025.
As this high-profile case unfolds, it continues to raise questions about the influence of power and the pursuit of justice in one of the most debated legal battles of recent times.
