Amid fresh political sparring over the Disha Salian death case, Shiv Sena leader and minister Deepak Kesarkar on Thursday said Aaditya Thackeray 鈥渟hould also realise that he needs to stay away from these filmy people鈥, claiming such associations had 鈥渄efamed鈥 the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA.鈥淗e got defamed because of them. It means he knew them, and their pictures together are also coming out,鈥 Kesarkar told reporters. His remark came after the Mumbai Police informed the Bombay High Court that its Special Investigation Team (SIT) had found no foul play in Salian鈥檚 death.Kesarkar, part of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, added, 鈥淲e have not accused anyone involved in the investigation. However, when CCTV footage is missing, doubts arise. So, it should be ensured that the footage is available. One should always have a clean image in politics.鈥滺is remarks come amid a political face-off over the case, with Shiv Sena (UBT) and its allies demanding apologies from BJP and Shinde camp leaders for dragginga Aditya Thackeray鈥檚 name into the matter.On Thursday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut sought a public apology from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane. 鈥淭he police report has clearly stated that Aaditya Thackeray had no involvement in Disha Salian鈥檚 death. Yet, power was misused to malign his image and humiliate him,鈥 said Raut.Raut also warned, 鈥淓veryone who made baseless allegations should issue a public apology. Those defaming others for political gains will pay a heavy price one day.鈥滵isha Salian, a former celebrity manager, died after falling from the 14th floor of a Mumbai high-rise on June 8, 2020. Police initially registered an Accidental Death Report. However, her father Satish Salian later claimed she was gangraped and murdered, and moved the Bombay High Court in March this year seeking a CBI probe and an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray.In an affidavit to the court, the Mumbai Police stated that Salian died by suicide and that the postmortem found no signs of sexual or physical assault. They also said she had been under stress due to family issues and professional setbacks. Her fianc, who was present at the time, reportedly ruled out any foul play.Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam clarified that while the SIT had submitted its findings, 鈥渘o closure report鈥 has yet been filed and investigation is still underway.Meanwhile, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar came to Thackeray鈥檚 defence, alleging that BJP leaders and ministers from the Shinde camp had used 鈥渇oul and offensive language鈥 against him. He called it a 鈥渄eliberate attempt to mislead the public for political mileage鈥.BJP leader and former minister Sudhir Mungantiwar rejected the allegations of political misuse, saying, 鈥淧olice conduct investigations based on evidence and facts. The opposition should not harbour prejudice against the state government.鈥漈he Bombay High Court has listed the matter for further hearing on July 16.- Ends(With inputs from PTI)Published By: Anuja JhaPublished On: Jul 3, 2025Must Watch