Sushant Rajput's former manager's death case: Union Minister and son quizzed

Mumbai: Both Union Minister Narayan Rane and his son, Mumbai MLA Nitesh Rane were questioned by the police in connection with the case they face for slanderous and misleading statements made about the death of Disha Salian, the manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

BJP leaders, Mr Rane and his son, arrived at the police station in Malvani, western suburbs at 1.45 pm and left at 10.45 pm, nine hours later. Supporters gathered outside the police station when Mr Rane attended the ceremony.

Nitesh Rane was earlier summoned by the Malvani police to appear before the investigating officer on Thursday.

Initially, his father was expected to appear on Friday. However, their lawyers had told them that because the state legislature was in session, they would appear on Saturday.

Union minister Rane and his son were granted interim protection from arrest by a court in Mumbai on Friday. Both Ranes sought anticipatory bail at the Dindoshi sessions court in Malad, fearing arrest in the case.

An FIR filed by the Malvani Police states that Union MSME minister Mr Rane spoke at a press conference where his son was also present on February 19 about Disha Salian's death.

In June 2020, Sallian allegedly jumped off a high-rise in suburban Malad, six days after actor Rajput (34) was found hanging at his Bandra apartment.

As he left the police station on Saturday night, Narayan Rane spoke to reporters regarding Uddhav Thackeray's telephone conversations with him following the deaths of Salian and Rajput.

It was not possible to reach representatives of the chief minister's office or the Shiv Sena, Mr Thackeray's party, for comment.

Former Shiv Sena leader Narayan Rane, who fell out with Uddhav Thackeray and left the party in 2005, became a bitter critic of him.