MUMBAI: High-voltage drama unfolded outside the gates of Matoshree, home of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, on Saturday, with the father of deceased celebrity manager Disha Salian arriving with his lawyers to serve a ₹ 500-crore defamation notice on Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray.
He asked why father and son did not do anything to intervene when the crime was being committed. Meanwhile, Akhil Chitre from the Sena (UBT) shared a document on socia media allegedly submitted by Salian in legal proceedings in January 2024, which apparently said that BJP leader Narayan Rane and his son, then BJP MLA NItesh Rane, were eyewitnesses to Disha Salian’s alleged rape and murder. Chitre’s social media post said, “As per documents submitted by Salian’s lawyers, Exhibit ‘A’, dated January 12, 2024, page 233, point number 2 states: ‘Regarding the allegations that the death of Ms Disha Salian was not natural, but that she was subjected to gang rape and subsequently murdered, eyewitnesses Hon Union Minister Narayan Rane, Hon MLA Shri Nitesh Rane and several other persons have made such allegations’.
“Only God can control me, no one else,” said Salian, refuting allegations that someone else was pulling the strings. His lawyer Nilesh Ojha said they had chosen to serve the notice in person “to show that as per the constitution, everyone has equal rights and no one is above the law”. “Aaditya Thackeray should tender an apology or face defamation action,” he said. When the media demanded an explanation, Ojha said, “In our complaint before the CBI in the Disha Salian rape and murder case, we have not mentioned Naryan Rane and Nitesh Rane as eyewitnesses,” he said. In another development, Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat said it was not appropriate for Salian to turn up at Matoshree to serve the defamation notice. “I don’t think it is proper to go to the home of someone you accuse of a crime to hand over a notice,” said Shirsat.
The matter is in court; let the CBI and court do their work. We should exercise restraint.”
Commenting on statements made by BJP leaders, Shirsat said, “It is up to BJP state president Ravindra Chavan to direct his party leader to maintain protocol in a matter that is sub-judice.
