FIR against Narayan, Nitesh Rane for ‘defamatory remarks’ in Disha Salian case

The Malwani police on Saturday registered a case against Union Minister Narayan Rane and his MLA son Nitesh Rane for allegedly making defamatory remarks and spreading false information about late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s former manager Disha Salian’s death.

The remarks in question were made by Narayan Rane during a press conference on February 19; Nitesh Rane was also present at the event.

According to police, Salian had died by suicide by jumping off a building on June 8, 2020 — six days before Rajput was found dead inside his Bandra home.

Since then several controversies have erupted questioning the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Following Rane’s press conference, Mumbai Mayor Kishor Pednekar visited Salian’s family and lodged a complaint with the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) on February 21.

The MSCW recorded statements of Salian’s family members before issuing a notice to the Mumbai police asking them to file a report in two days. They also sought Salian’s post mortem reports.

Late on Saturday, a case was registered under sections 211 (False charge of offence made with intent to injure), 500 (defamation), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code along with section 67 of the Information Technology Act.

In her statement to police, Salian’s mother Vasanti said she has seen the press conference in which the attempt to “spread false information” about her daughter’s death was made. “The information shared by them was demeaning and has damaged the reputation of our daughter that has tarnished our image in the society,” her statement read.

When the Indian Express tried reaching Narayan and Nitesh Rane, their phones were switched off.