{
  "id": 7786981,
  "title": "‘Evidence-Free Character Assassination’: Aaditya Thackeray Breaks Silence On Disha Salian Case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/evidence-free-character-assassination-aaditya-thackeray-breaks",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T12:12:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/evidence-free-character-assassination-aaditya-thackeray-breaks-silence-on-disha-salian-case"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Aaditya Thackeray, a leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) party, has broken his silence on the Disha Salian case, firmly denying any knowledge of or relationship with the deceased. Thackeray firmly stated that his name has been repeatedly linked to her death in what he described as a \"deliberate, evidence-free\" attempt to assassinate his character.\n\nThackeray's comments came in response to Disha Salian's father, Satish Salian, who has provided the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with names of several individuals, including Thackeray, Bollywood actors, and police officials, whom he claims were involved in his daughter's death. Satish Salian has been pursuing a fresh investigation for years, and the recent registration of a CBI FIR based on his statement marks a significant development in the case.\n\nThackeray accused his detractors of employing a relentless smear campaign, fueled by vested interests, and contended that loud debates and media trials cannot alter the facts. He urged for an official reinvestigation to proceed without what he called \"malicious distractions and character assassination for political motives.\" The CBI has registered an FIR in the 2020 death case, based on a statement recorded from Satish Salian's father, which includes several individuals to be examined, but has not treated those named as accused at this stage.",
  "summary": "Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday denied ever knowing or meeting Disha Salian, saying his name was being repeatedly linked to her death in what he described as a “deliberate, evidence-free” campaign aimed at character assassination. Let’s cut through the noise and talk facts, once again: I have never met or known Disha Salian. Linking my name to this tragic case constantly is…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Disha Salian Death Case: NCP- SP MLA Rohit Pawar Backs Aaditya Thackeray, Alleges Political Motive Behind CBI Activity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/disha-salian-death-case-ncp-sp-mla-rohit-pawar-backs-aaditya",
        "published": "2026-09-15T06:25:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}