Twisha Sharma Death Case Hearing: SC says case will reach ‘logical conclusion’, orders fair and independent probe

Twisha Sharma Death Case Hearing: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has taken up the Twisha Sharma death case, ordering a fair, independent and impartial investigation while urging both the victim’s family and the accused to stop making public statements and place their accounts before investigators instead.

Sharma, 33, a former Miss Pune originally from Noida, was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills on the night of 12 May. Her family has accused her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. The in-laws have denied the allegations, claiming instead that she had been battling drug addiction.

The case has drawn intense national attention, largely because of who the accused are. Sharma’s mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, is a retired district judge, and her husband, Samarth Singh, is a practising lawyer.

“The mother-in-law is a formal district judge, and it is unfortunate that it is being said that judiciary is not permitting a fair trial. We have no doubt that the victims and accused will cooperate with the investigation. We have no doubt on our state agencies also or on the CBI that whoever will investigate will definitely take the investigation to the logical conclusion and will find the truth,” LiveLaw quoted the CJI.

He stressed that the CBI must investigate without interference or influence.

“Whatever the unfortunate incident has taken place, it must be fairly and independently and impartially investigated. There were doubts that both sides are also going to the media,” the CJI added.

The court’s formal order went further, imposing specific obligations on all parties to the case.

“We would like to impress upon the family members of the victim as well as the accused that instead of making statements in the public or before media platform they should get their versions recorded before the investigating agency so that no prejudice or adverse impact is had on the ongoing investigation,” the order read.

“We also request the media to avoid recording statements of persons who are likely to be potential witnesses, as it may unnecessarily impact the outcomes on certain issues which are to be investigated. We also request the public that they should refrain from speculation and to have trust and faith in one of the premier investigating agency. We are sure that in due course of time it will take the investigation to a conclusion,” the order stated.

The apex court was careful to clarify the limits of its own observations.

“While making these observations, it is clarified that we have not expressed any opinion on any of the allegations or otherwise, and it is entirely on the investigating agency to look into the different aspects,” it said.

The court’s order recorded: “SG Mehta has assured us that he will take up the matter with the authorities to ensure that the CBI immediately takes over the investigation.”

The Madhya Pradesh government had already separately recommended a CBI probe into the matter before the Supreme Court hearing, a decision that reflects the scale of public and political scrutiny surrounding the case.

Samarth Singh, who was arrested in Jabalpur on Friday (22 May) after remaining absconding for ten days, was sent to a seven-day police remand by a Bhopal court on Saturday. He is currently in custody and under active interrogation. According to sources, he has told investigators that relations with his wife soured after she became pregnant.

Her mother-in-law, who has secured anticipatory bail, is being questioned separately, with investigators cross-verifying the accounts given by mother and son.

“We have questioned Giribala Singh. The process takes time. Her son Samarth Singh, who is in police custody, is also being interrogated. Information given by one accused is being verified with the other,” a senior police officer told PTI, requesting anonymity.

Police have registered an FIR against both the son and mother on charges of dowry harassment.

The investigating officer added a note of caution about the current state of the inquiry.

“As of now, the case appears to be one of suicide, but the investigation is continuing. It would be premature to draw any conclusion at this stage,” the official said.

The MP HC ordered a second examination after Sharma’s parents raised serious concerns about procedural lapses by local authorities in the conduct of the first postmortem.

Chief of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, Dr Sudhir Gupta, told PTI the full report would take time to compile, as laboratory tests, including histopathology and viscera examination, are still required.

The AIIMS team also visited her residence and the site of the incident on Sunday to conduct on-site assessments. Dr Gupta confirmed the team would return to Delhi with samples, photographs, videos and written findings on Monday.

Following the conclusion of the second postmortem, Sharma’s parents cremated her mortal remains at Bhadbhada Vishram Ghat in Bhopal on Sunday evening.

(With agency inputs)