Bhopal, India – In a significant development in the Twisha Sharma death case, her husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh have been remanded to judicial custody until June 16. The order from a Bhopal court specifies that both individuals will be lodged separately from other inmates within Bhopal Central Jail.
The decision followed the conclusion of their custodial questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which had taken over the high-profile case from the Madhya Pradesh Police. The CBI produced Samarth Singh and his mother, a retired judge, before the court of Shobhna Bhalave, opting not to seek further custody.
CBI Investigation Progress
For several days, CBI investigators interrogated the accused regarding the circumstances surrounding Twisha's death, particularly the sequence of events at their Bhopal residence on the night of May 12. The agency meticulously examined various digital, forensic, and physical evidence collected during the probe.
A day prior to their judicial remand, the CBI, along with forensic and crime scene experts, reconstructed the alleged suicide scene at Twisha's marital home using dummies. Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh were asked to provide a detailed account of their actions and observations from that fateful night.
Background of the Case
Twisha Sharma, a former Miss Pune and actor originally from Noida, was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12. Her death occurred less than six months after her marriage to Samarth Singh. The case, initially registered by Katara Hills police as a dowry death, was later transferred to the CBI amidst allegations of investigative lapses and potential evidence tampering.
The arrest of Giribala Singh came after the Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed the anticipatory bail previously granted to her. The High Court had noted that the trial court failed to adequately consider crucial evidence, including witness statements, WhatsApp chats, and postmortem findings that indicated multiple ante-mortem injuries on Twisha's body.
Charges and Ongoing Probe
The CBI is currently investigating the case under Sections 80(2), 85, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to dowry death, cruelty by a husband or his relatives, and joint criminal liability. Additionally, Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act are being applied.
This judicial custody order marks the completion of the initial phase of the CBI's investigation. With both accused now in judicial custody, the comprehensive probe into Twisha Sharma's death continues.