Mumbai, Sept. 16 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday alleged that he had "never met" Disha Salian and described attempts to link his name to the case as "character assassination."

His remarks came after the CBI registered an FIR in connection with the 2020 case.

Taking to X, Thackeray said his name had been repeatedly linked to the case and called it a deliberate, evidence-free attempt to damage his reputation.

"Let's cut through the noise and talk facts, once again: I have never met or known Disha Salian. Linking my name to this tragic case constantly is a deliberate, evidence-free attempt at character assassination by a few individuals with clear political and personal motives, for almost 6 years," the Shiv Sena ...