Aaditya Thackeray

Disha Salian's death in 2020 prompted theories and political allegations targeting Aaditya. Salian's father subsequently sought an FIR and CBI investigation, alleging murder and a cover-up.

State of the evidence

allegations, police/SIT investigations and High Court litigation documented

Legal status — source text

no FIR, charges or personal conviction against Aaditya established; the state maintains that investigations concluded it was suicide; High Court reserved judgment on the father's application on 28 August 2026

Attribution

attribution strictly limited to third-party allegations; no criminal involvement established

A public interest petition sought an investigation into allegedly disproportionate assets belonging to Uddhav Thackeray and his family, including Aaditya.

State of the evidence

PIL and judgment documented

Legal status — source text

Bombay High Court dismissed the petition and imposed costs on the petitioners

Attribution

family-related allegations including Aaditya, with a favourable judicial outcome

Aaditya was a leading figure in the campaign against tree felling at Aarey and defended relocating the depot to Kanjurmarg after the MVA came to power.

State of the evidence

public positions and political decisions documented

Legal status — source text

administrative and land litigation; no personal proceedings

Attribution

political responsibility as campaign leader and Environment Minister

Worli Koliwada fisherfolk blocked Coastal Road construction and demanded a wider gap between pillars, arguing that the project threatened their safety and access to fishing grounds. They appealed directly to Aaditya as their local elected representative and minister.

State of the evidence

protests, technical studies and meetings documented

Legal status — source text

no personal judicial proceedings

Attribution

political responsibility as Environment Minister and Worli legislator; project design was the BMC's responsibility

The project to import penguins to Byculla Zoo was closely associated with Aaditya. The death of a female penguin a few months after arrival prompted allegations concerning the zoo's preparedness. Later, a tender worth more than Rs 15 crore for three years of maintenance renewed criticism of spending priorities.

State of the evidence

importation, death, costs and maintenance contracts documented

Legal status — source text

no personal wrongdoing by Aaditya judicially established

Attribution

Aaditya was publicly associated with the idea of introducing Humboldt penguins to Mumbai; critics and opponents targeted him directly, but contractual decisions were the BMC's responsibility

Following Sushant Singh Rajput's death, rumours claimed that Aaditya was linked to the case. He publicly denied any connection. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Police registered several FIRs against individuals accused of publishing defamatory content targeting Uddhav and Aaditya.

State of the evidence

denials, public allegations and FIRs documented

Legal status — source text

no involvement by Aaditya in Sushant's death established

Attribution

unproven allegations; separate institutional responsibility concerning police FIRs

Aaditya promoted a proposal allowing certain malls, restaurants and multiplexes in non-residential areas to remain open 24 hours a day. Police and the Food and Drug Administration raised oversight and resource concerns, with the latter stating that it had not been consulted.

State of the evidence

proposal, administrative objections and cabinet approval documented

Legal status — source text

no judicial proceedings

Attribution

direct political responsibility as promoter of the proposal