In a significant development in the high-profile Twisha Sharma death case, a special court in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, has sent the primary accused—the victim’s husband, Samarth Singh, and her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh—to 14-day judicial custody. The order will keep both individuals in custody until June 16, 2026.
The decision was handed down by the court after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) completed its initial five-day custodial interrogation of the mother-son duo. As the initial remand period concluded, the central investigative agency filed an application to transition the accused to judicial remand rather than requesting an immediate extension of active police custody.
As detailed in the verification updates from Capture_2.JPG, the family’s legal representative, Advocate Ankur Pandey, noted that the CBI filed the application for judicial custody while maintaining the right to seek police remand again in the future if further witness or evidence collection requires it.
The Courtroom Proceedings and CBI Application
During the court session, the transition of custody was formalized. The CBI presented both Samarth Singh and retired district judge Giribala Singh as their police remand neared its end.
The CBI informed the court that the first phase of face-to-face questioning had concluded. The agency intends to pivot its focus toward recording statements from other key witnesses and individuals connected to the case.
However, the prosecution made it clear that this transition does not mark the end of the active investigation. The CBI explicitly reserved the right to file an appropriate application for fresh police remand at a later stage should new evidence or the need for cross-examination with emerging witnesses arise.
Following the order, both individuals were transported to the Bhopal Central Jail. Due to safety considerations and the highly sensitive nature of the case, prison authorities confirmed that Giribala and Samarth will be housed in separate quarters, segregated from the general inmate population.
High Drama and Allegations in Court
The hearing was marked by intense legal friction and personal arguments from the defense. Giribala Singh, utilizing her background as a retired judicial officer, spoke directly to the court to flag several grievances:
- Objections to a “Media Trial”: The mother-in-law heavily criticized the public nature of the investigation, asserting that continuous media tracking had put their lives in jeopardy. She claimed that during a recent crime scene reconstruction, investigators forced them to walk through crowds of journalists rather than dropping them at their doorstep.
- Denial of Evidence Tampering: She firmly denied allegations that digital evidence or CCTV footage from their Katara Hills residence had been manipulated or destroyed.
- Assault Allegations: The defense claimed that Samarth Singh was physically mistreated and assaulted by members of the victim’s legal team during a previous court appearance in Jabalpur.
In response, the victim’s family counsel categorically denied the assault allegations, challenging the defense to review the court complex’s official CCTV footage to verify the factual sequence of events.
Background of the Case
The case traces back to May 12, 2026, when 33-year-old Twisha Sharma—a former model, actor, and Miss Pune titleholder from Noida—was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her matrimonial home in Bhopal. She had married lawyer Samarth Singh less than six months prior, in December 2025.
While the in-laws maintained it was a suicide, Twisha’s family alleged severe domestic violence, mental torture, and persistent dowry harassment. Initial postmortem findings indicated the presence of multiple ante-mortem (pre-death) injuries on her body.
Amid public outcries over potential institutional bias due to the mother-in-law’s former judicial standing, the Madhya Pradesh state government transferred the probe from the local police to the CBI. Prior to the judicial remand, the CBI conducted a forensic reconstruction of the scene using an 80 kg sand-filled dummy to mathematically verify the physical claims made by the accused. The agency has also submitted all seized electronic items for advanced forensic testing.
Key Takeaways
- 14-Day Remand: Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh will remain in judicial custody at Bhopal Central Jail until June 16, 2026.
- Segregated Lodging: The accused are being kept separate from general prison inmates due to security protocols.
- CBI’s Next Steps: Active custodial questioning has paused as the agency moves to interview external witnesses and awaits forensic reports.
- Future Custody Open: The CBI retains the option to request further police custody if subsequent evidence demands it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the current legal status of the Twisha Sharma case?
The primary accused, Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh, have completed their initial CBI interrogation period and have been sent to Bhopal Central Jail under a 14-day judicial custody order lasting until June 16, 2026.
Q2: Why did the CBI agree to judicial custody instead of extending police remand?
The CBI informed the court that it has completed its initial phase of direct questioning. The agency is now focusing on analyzing digital forensics and recording external witness statements, but it can request police custody again later if required.
Q3: What charges are the accused facing?
The case is being investigated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for offenses relating to dowry death, cruelty by a husband or relatives, and joint criminal liability, alongside relevant sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
Q4: What was the purpose of the dummy reconstruction at the crime scene?
The CBI used an 80 kg sand-filled dummy to replicate the victim’s weight and physical dynamics. This forensic exercise helps investigators verify whether the physical evidence matches the verbal timelines provided by the accused regarding the night of May 12.
