Mumbai: Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane has escalated his accusations in the Disha Salian death case, stating that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray will face the court based on serious allegations made by Salian’s father.

“He will get an answer in the court,” Rane said on Thursday, directly referring to Aaditya Thackeray. “Not only me, but Disha Salian’s father has filed a case against him. If the father says Aaditya Thackeray and Dino Morea committed his daughter’s murder and rape, the court will take cognizance and deliver the right verdict.”

Rane dismissed the possibility of any political motive behind the accusations, saying, “Has a murderer ever confessed to his crime?”

The minister’s remarks come after a fresh affidavit was filed by Satish Salian, Disha's father, in the Bombay High Court, naming Thackeray and actor Dino Morea in connection with his daughter's death. Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from a high-rise building in Malad, Mumbai.

Although the Mumbai Police filed an affidavit last month stating that Salian’s death was a suicide and ruled out foul play, her father continues to allege that she was raped and murdered, demanding a CBI probe into the incident.

Rane pointed to the ongoing legal process and said the next court hearing is scheduled for July 16. “The matter is sub judice. The SIT’s report should not be seen in isolation. The allegations are serious, and justice will prevail,” he said.

Earlier, Aaditya Thackeray had said he would not respond to years of “character assassination,” maintaining that he has chosen silence over counter-attacks. Rane, however, insists that the courts—not silence—will determine the truth.