Aaditya Thackeray rejects Rs 500-crore defamation notice

Aaditya Thackeray, a leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), has rejected a Rs 500-crore defamation notice issued by Satish Salian, the father of the late Disha Salian. Thackeray dismissed the legal demand as “frivolous” and “legally misconceived,” stating through his legal counsel that he has never met or known Disha Salian.

The notice, issued on September 17, 2026, alleged that Thackeray’s social media posts on X contained defamatory narratives regarding Satish Salian. In his response, Thackeray’s legal team argued that his posts did not name or identify Salian, but instead addressed a broader political and media campaign involving various actors.

Thackeray’s reply also noted inconsistencies in Satish Salian’s previous public statements and legal filings following his daughter’s death in 2020. The response emphasized that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting a probe and that no adverse findings have been recorded against Thackeray.