Mumbai, Sep 23: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday rejected the Rs 500-crore defamation notice served by Satish Salian, father of the late Disha Salian, calling it “frivolous” and denying he ever knew her.

Replying through his Supreme Court advocate Anshuman Sinha, Thackeray categorically denied all allegations of defamation, refused to issue an apology or withdraw his social media posts, and reaffirmed his stand that he has “never met or known Disha Salian”.

The confrontation stems from a notice issued on September 17, 2026, by Satish Salian’s counsel, Adv. Anushka Sonawane. Salian alleged that Thackeray’s English and Marathi posts on X, published on September 16, 2026, contained defamatory narratives and sought Rs 500 crore in damages alongside public apologies.

Thackeray’s reply emphasised that his posts never named or identified Satish Salian. His legal team argued that a cause of action cannot be manufactured by inserting a party’s name into general comments about a prolonged political and media campaign. The demand for Rs 500 crore was described as “false, legally misconceived and arbitrary, devoid of any computational basis or identified financial loss.”

The reply pointed out that Salian’s current claims contrasted with earlier public statements and legal filings made immediately after his daughter’s death. It cited FIR C.R. No. 118 of 2022 registered at Malvani Police Station and a March 16, 2022 order by the Dindoshi Sessions Court, where the family attributed her suicide to financial depression under the influence of alcohol, while accusing political actors of defaming the family by circulating rumours.

Thackeray said that while the Bombay High Court directed a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, it recorded no adverse findings against him or any individual, and mandated that no person be treated as an accused unless sufficient grounds emerged from evidence.

Defending his right to use social media to counter accusations, Thackeray refused demands to delete posts, apologise, retract or pay compensation. He reiterated his call for an independent and fair CBI investigation without media trials or political distractions.

Advising Satish Salian to withdraw the “misconceived” notice within seven days, Thackeray’s counsel warned that any further civil or criminal proceedings based on fabricated interpretations would be contested firmly in court at Salian’s risk regarding costs and consequences.

A high alert has been issued in Mumbai for the Ganesh Visarjan (immersion) on Anant Chaturdashi, and the police have asserted that robust security arrangements are in place. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), stated that necessary security measures have been finalized for the occasion. The deployment includes 6 Joint Commissioners, 9 Additional Commissioners, 38 DCPs, 66 ACPs, 3,100 officers, and over 18,000 personnel, alongside specialized units such as the Quick Response Team (QRT), Anti-Riot Squad, and Delta Force, as well as Home Guards. To enhance surveillance in crowded areas, the police have begun utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI); compared to last year, AI will be used to manage crowds and monitor Ganpati Mandals and immersion processions more effectively. Additionally, it is mandatory for Mandals to complete the immersion process within the scheduled timeframe.

Compliance with regulations regarding noise pollution and other guidelines is obligatory for everyone; the police will take action against any Mandal found violating these rules. Manoj Kumar Sharma noted that Mumbai has long been a target for terrorists, necessitating stringent security arrangements across the city. Watchtowers have been erected at immersion sites, and special surveillance will be maintained at major immersion locations, including the Lalbaug procession route. Manoj Kumar Sharma further stated that necessary instructions have been issued to the police to prevent chaos or stampede-like situations amidst the crowds during the Ganpati Visarjan; additionally, the police have requested the Ministry of Railways to maintain 24-hour railway services.

Mumbai’s traffic police are also fully prepared for the Ganpati Visarjan. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyanarayan Chaudhary stated that over 3,000 traffic police officers and personnel would be deployed on the roads, with orders to remain alert in congested areas. Cranes will be utilized to prevent traffic jams. During the immersion process, 84 roads in Mumbai have been closed, and 20 roads have been designated as one-way to ensure devotees face no inconvenience; furthermore, ‘no-parking’ zones have been identified, and parking arrangements have been made. Special measures have been implemented at locations including Juhu Chowpatty, Girgaon Chowpatty, and the Gateway of India, and five temporary control rooms have been set up for monitoring purposes.

Mumbai: Retired Justice RC Chavan has resigned from the Maharashtra Uniform Civil Code (UCC) draft committee, and a representative from the minority community should be appointed in his place. Rais Shaikh, the Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhiwandi East, made this demand, stating that such a move would enhance the committee’s prestige and credibility. MLA Rais Shaikh has written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding this matter. Speaking on this issue, MLA Rais Shaikh pointed out that the Maharashtra UCC Draft Committee was constituted in July under the leadership of retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai. The committee has a tenure of six months. Not a single representative from the minority community has been included in the committee. Consequently, the committee is viewed with suspicion, and Justice Chauhan’s resignation has further tarnished its credibility. A political agenda drives the BJP’s move to draft the UCC. The BJP-led ‘Mahayuti’ governments at both the central and state levels are pushing for the implementation of this law with an eye on the elections. This law poses a threat to the country’s cultural diversity. Furthermore, it would effectively abolish the personal laws governing divorce, inheritance, marriage, and adoption across various religions. MLA Shaikh stated that it is for these reasons that the minority community views the UCC with skepticism.
Through this UCC law, the BJP is attempting to impose the norms and regulations of the majority community. To dispel doubts regarding the proposed legislation and address objections raised against the draft committee, it is essential to include a representative from the minority community in the committee. MLA Shaikh asserted that the minority community and tribal populations would be severely affected by this law.