THANE: Advocate Nilesh Ojha on Sunday said that Disha Salian’s father, Satish Salian, Sameer Wankhede, Ashutosh Pathak and he have sought police protection, alleging that they received threats from Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders.Ojha, who is representing Satish Salian in the case, said they have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Chief Justice of India and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking protection.“The CBI FIR was registered, and a letter was immediately written requesting police protection for four individuals: Satish Salian, our witness Sameer Wankhede, myself, and Ashutosh Pathak, ” Ojha told news agency ANI.Ojha questioned the provision of ‘Y-plus’ security to Aaditya Thackeray, saying those who brought the matter to light and allegedly faced threats had been left without protection.“The letter clearly states, citing records from your Home Ministry and the Narcotics Bureau, that it is evident that Aditya Thackeray is involved in the drug trade. Furthermore, an FIR has now been registered against him regarding gang rape, murder, and a cover-up. Several other high-profile individuals and police officers are also implicated as accused in this matter,” he said.“We have already provided all prima facie evidence; the CBI has obtained everything necessary during the investigation to secure a conviction. Yet, the accused currently enjoys ‘Y-plus’ security provided by your administration. Meanwhile, those who brought this matter to light and those facing direct threats from individuals like Sanjay Raut were left unprotected,” the advocate added.He further said that providing security was mandatory under the Witness Protection Scheme and Supreme Court guidelines, and alleged that their request for protection had not been acted upon.He further added, “Providing security is mandatory under the Witness Protection Scheme and Supreme Court guidelines. Yet, they failed to do so. Consequently, we compiled all the material and handed it over to the CBI. We also urged them to investigate the role of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and determine why police protection was not granted.”“We have given a copy of this to the CBI, along with Prime Minister Modi ji, the Home Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Chief Minister,” Ojha said.Disha Salian was found dead in Mumbai on June 8, 2020. Her death was initially registered as an Accidental Death Report (ADR).Salian died days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput, whose death also led to a high-profile investigation and widespread public controversy.Bombay High Court directed the CBI to register a formal First Information Report (FIR) and launch a fresh probe.As the probe progresses, Satish Salian, accompanied by his lawyer Nilesh Ojha, has submitted a pen drive containing material they described as evidence related to Disha Salian’s death.Meanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray has denied the allegations and responded to the defamation notice issued by Satish Salian.(With agency inputs)
