Evading a direct reply to a question on a possible political conspiracy in the case, Sule said “anything is possible” and alleged misuse of federal agencies.
Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganapati Mandal in Pune, the Baramati MP said she would speak to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut to understand the latest developments in the Disha Salian case.
“I was surprised to hear how this (registration of an FIR by CBI) happened because it is the same government that had closed the case. I do not understand what is happening,” Sule added.
Asked whether the development appeared to be a political conspiracy, Sule referred to what she called the “ICE”- Income Tax, CBI and Enforcement Directorate- and alleged that agencies had been used against people who were subsequently taken into the ruling party.
“Anything is possible. You will remember ‘ICE’, Income Tax, CBI and ED. These agencies were used against people, and then those people were taken into their own party. So, anything can happen in the government nowadays,” she added.On September 2, the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe into Salian’s death while pulling up the Mumbai Police for failing to register an FIR for six years, observing that its investigation “raises more questions than answers”.
The CBI registered an FIR on September 13 without naming any accused in compliance with the High Court directives, officials said on Monday.
The Central agency has invoked Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections relating to criminal conspiracy, gang rape, murder, disappearance of evidence, and public servants framing incorrect records to shield offenders.
The High Court’s division bench of Justices Sarang V Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale had observed that the investigation could not drag on indefinitely, highlighting “glaring discrepancies” in the initial probe and criticising local police for treating the matter solely as an accidental death for years.
Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 12th floor of the Malad building. A week later, on June 14, 2020, actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment, triggering a widespread public uproar and a subsequent CBI probe into his death.
The agency later submitted a closure report in Rajput’s case, concluding that it was a suicide, which remains pending before the competent court. While ordering Mumbai Police to transfer all documents to the CBI, the high court instructed the central agency not to name anyone as an accused at this stage
Meanwhile, on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s remarks that India’s electoral process was the most transparent in the world, Sule said, “That is what he feels. In a strong democracy, everyone has the right to speak. I have experienced that myself.”
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Asked about Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that the BJP would engage in dialogue with Gen Z, she said it was an internal matter of that party.
On the BRICS Summit and the discussions held there, Sule said no official statement had yet been issued on the details of the deliberations.
“No official statement has been issued yet on the details of what was discussed at the BRICS Summit. So, let the government first issue a statement, and then we will comment on it,” the NCP (SP) leader added.
Sule highlighted the plight of farmers while speaking on the Ganesh festival, which began on Monday.
