Sooraj Pancholi has addressed the controversy around Disha Salian’s death, after the CBI registered an FIR naming him among several others in connection with the case.
On Instagram, the 35-year-old wrote, “I have decided to put this out because I feel it is important to put certain facts clearly in the public domain.”
The Eve Singh actor went on, “I have never met Late Disha Salian in my life, directly or indirectly. I have also never met Aditya Thackeray in my life! It is honestly very unfair and extremely upsetting to see my name being dragged into something that I have absolutely nothing to do with, especially when there is no evidence or proof connecting me to this matter.”
He explained why he chose to speak up now. “I have stayed quiet for a long time because I did not want to keep responding to every report or every story written about me. But when the same thing keeps happening again and again, there comes a point where you have to speak for yourself. Regarding this matter, I have already been investigated by the CBI/police and my statement was recorded by the agencies almost 4–5 years ago.”
The Hero star added, “And to everyone who is reading this please don’t believe everything you see on the news or on social media! A headline is not evidence. A debate is not evidence. Someone saying something on television does not make it a fact.” He closed with, “I have faith in the law. I have faith in the investigating agencies. And I have faith that ultimately, the truth will come out. Let the facts speak. Let the investigation speak. Let the truth speak. Jai Hind.”
Disha Salian Case
Disha Salian was found dead on June 8, 2020, just days before Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. Her case, originally recorded as an accidental death, was reopened after the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe.
The FIR names several individuals, including Aaditya Thackeray, Rhea Chakraborty, Sooraj Pancholi, Dino Morea and Rohan Roy.
Advocate Nilesh Ojha, representing Disha’s father, told media the FIR covers charges including gang rape, murder and cover-up, naming a wider list of individuals including police officials and a forensic analyst allegedly involved in altering reports.