Matoshri Incident: Lawyer Nilesh Ojha Confronts Thackeray with Defamation Claim

Mumbai’s political landscape witnessed a rare showdown on 19 September when Satish Salian, grieving father of the late Disha Salian, arrived at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray’s residence – Matoshri – to serve a massive ₹500 crore defamation notice. Security staff refused entry to Salian and his attorney, prompting an impromptu hand‑over of the notice at the gate.

Counsel Nilesh Ojha narrated a troubling pre‑emptive threat: he was told he would be barred from practicing law if he continued to represent the Salian family. Undeterred, Ojha declared, “We came to demonstrate that threats cannot prevent us from delivering the notice to your doorstep.” He warned that any further intimidation would be met with a legal response.

The notice references a previous judicial ruling that dismissed Thackeray’s claim of political motivation behind the statements that allegedly tarnished the Salian family’s reputation. It now demands a formal reply and a compensation package of ₹500 crore.

Satish Salian has publicly expressed that he feels no fear in confronting Thackeray. This development adds another layer to the ongoing saga surrounding Disha Salian’s death on 8 June 2020, a case still being examined by the Central Bureau of Investigation.