In a significant development in the high-profile Twisha Sharma death case in Bhopal, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested former judge Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of the deceased. The arrest took place just a day after the High Court cancelled her anticipatory bail, while the CBI team reached her residence in Katara Hills, Bhopal, and conducted an intensive interrogation lasting for about 5 hours before taking her into custody. This move marks a major turning point in a case that has gripped public attention for the past 15 days.
Background of the Case
Twisha Sharma, a 33 year old former model and actress, had been married to Samarth Singh for only 5 months. On May 12, 2026, she was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws' residence in Bhopal. The case immediately drew scrutiny due to the high-profile status of the accused, Giribala Singh, who is a retired judge. While Giribala Singh managed to secure anticipatory bail from a district court on May 13, 2026, just one day after the death, the legal situation shifted rapidly over the next 15 days, leading to her eventual arrest on May 28, 2026.
CBI Intervention and Post-Mortem Revelations
The investigation by the Bhopal Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) had initially faced severe criticism from Twisha's family, who alleged that the influential background of the in-laws was hindering a fair probe. Following a petition by the victim's parents, the Jabalpur High Court took a stern view and ordered a second post-mortem to be conducted by a team of doctors from AIIMS Delhi. This second examination proved to be a catalyst for the case. The CBI revealed in court that the post-mortem report showed 6 different marks on Twisha's neck in addition to the ligature mark from hanging. Also, deep injury marks were found on her wrists and elbows, while medical experts concluded that these injuries couldn't have occurred while removing the body from the noose, and neither Giribala Singh nor her son Samarth Singh could provide a satisfactory explanation for these wounds.
Shocking WhatsApp Chats and Allegations of Forced Abortion
Digital evidence recovered from Twisha's mobile phone provided further incriminating details, while the CBI discovered WhatsApp chats indicating that when Twisha became pregnant, her mother-in-law Giribala Singh and husband Samarth Singh allegedly questioned her character. They reportedly claimed the child belonged to someone else and pressured Twisha into undergoing a forced abortion. The CBI argued in court that the former judge had left no stone unturned in defaming her daughter-in-law's character, which contributed to the mental and physical harassment Twisha faced.
Allegations of Evidence Tampering
Despite her legal expertise, Giribala Singh faced serious allegations of attempting to influence the investigation. Twisha's father, Navnidhi Sharma, alleged that on the day following the death, 46 phone calls were made to various influential people to use their status. On top of that, Giribala Singh was accused of leaking a selective CCTV video clip of the incident on social media to manipulate public narrative and mislead the probe. The CBI also noted that she had called a beauty parlor to obtain CCTV footage, which was viewed as an attempt to tamper with potential evidence.
The Legal Turning Point
The momentum of the case accelerated after the CBI took over following the Supreme Court's stance on May 25, 2026. On May 27, 2026, Vacation Judge Devnarayan Mishra of the Jabalpur High Court accepted the CBI's arguments and solid evidence, subsequently cancelling the anticipatory bail granted to Giribala Singh on May 15 by a lower court. In a detailed 17 page order, the High Court emphasized that custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary to uncover the truth and ensure an impartial investigation. Following this order, the CBI moved swiftly to arrest her on May 28, 2026.
Charges and Legal Sections
The FIR registered at the Katara Hills police station includes several serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Dowry Prohibition Act, while giribala Singh and Samarth Singh are charged under Section 80(2) for Dowry Death, which carries a minimum sentence of 7 years and can extend to life imprisonment if a woman dies under unusual circumstances within 7 years of marriage due to dowry harassment. They're also charged under Section 85 for cruelty by the husband or his relatives, which covers mental or physical torture and carries a penalty of up to 3 years in prison. On top of that, Section 3(5) regarding common intention has been applied, holding all involved parties equally responsible for the crime. The investigation also highlights a specific demand for 2 lakh rupees in cash made by Giribala Singh during the wedding rituals.
The Defense's Argument
In her defense, Giribala Singh's legal counsel maintained that Twisha had committed suicide on May 12, 2026. They argued that Giribala Singh immediately took Twisha to AIIMS after the incident and informed her family. The defense pointed out that the family was present during the inquest proceedings and that the police had already seized the noose, mobile phone, DVR, and other items on the first day, making allegations of evidence tampering baseless, while they further claimed that the WhatsApp chats primarily implicated the husband, Samarth Singh, and that there were no direct allegations of harassment or character assassination against the mother-in-law. The defense presented photos, letters, and documents to suggest that Giribala Singh took care of Twisha and that their relationship was normal.