Union Minister Narayan Rane, MLA Son Nitesh Approach Bombay High Court To Quash FIR In Disha Salian Case

The duo states that the FIR is politically motivated.

"The motive for malicious prosecution of political rivalry is to harass the Petitioners. The possibility of registration of the present crime with an ulterior motive to create ground for cancellation of bail granted by the Ld. Sessions Judge, Sindhudurg-Oras cannot be ruled out," the plea read.

The alleged remarks were made by Rane during a press conference on February 19, in which Nitesh was also present.

The Malvani police booked the father-son duo under Sections 211 (False charge of offence made with intent to injure), 500 (Defamation), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 506 II (criminal intimidation) and 34 of the IPC read with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

According to police, Salian had died by suicide by on June 8, 2020 — six days before Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead inside his Bandra home.

Since Salian's death several controversies emerged  questioning the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

After Rane's press conference, Mumbai Mayor Kishor Pednekar visited Salian's family and lodged a complaint with the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) on February 21. The MSCW recorded Salian's mother's statement before involving the Mumbai police. 

In their petition before the High Court, the duo has sought to quash the FIR, and orders to restrain the Malvani police from filing a charge sheet.

The duo, through lawyer Lokesh Zade, have cited the delay in registration of FIR. Their plea states while the alleged remarks were made on February 19, the FIR was registered on February 26.

That the only non bailable section in the present FIR is section 506 II (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Both these sections are not made out, the quashing petition adds.

The father-son alleged false implication. They claimed they have no role to play in the alleged crime and that the FIR is registered with an ulterior motive of restricting their movement.

They said that the complainant didn't allege that she was ever threatened or intimated by the them, let alone threatened with death or grievous hurt and hence the ingredients of Section 506 II of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 are not attracted.

On Thursday the Dindoshi Sessions Court continued interim anticipatory bail to the duo till Tuesday.