The Supreme Court of India on Monday stressed the need for a “fair and impartial” investigation in the death case of former actor-model Twisha Sharma. The court supported the Madhya Pradesh government’s decision to recommend a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation amid growing public controversy and allegations of institutional bias.
Twisha Sharma , 33, was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12. Her family accused her in-laws of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. However, the in-laws claimed she was struggling with drug addiction.
Supreme Court Calls for Independent Investigation
The matter was heard suo motu by a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice referred to media reports that raised concerns about possible institutional bias in the case. The court noted that Twisha Sharma’s husband is a practising lawyer and her mother-in-law is a retired district judge.
The bench said questions had been raised about whether “undue influence” could affect the investigation because of the accused family’s background. The court observed that a public narrative had emerged suggesting that a fair investigation was not possible due to the involvement of members connected to the judiciary.
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Supreme Court Appreciates MP Government’s Decision
The Supreme Court praised the Madhya Pradesh government for deciding to recommend a CBI probe into the matter. The bench said an independent agency should now take over the investigation in the interest of all parties involved.
At the same time, the court clarified that it had no doubts about the functioning of the state police or agencies. However, it said public perception and media narratives made an independent probe necessary.
Court Urges Media to Avoid Speculation
The Supreme Court also urged the media and both families to avoid making public statements that could influence the investigation. The bench requested journalists not to publish speculative claims about either side while the probe is ongoing.
The court said statements related to the case should be given directly to the investigating agency instead of being discussed publicly. According to the bench, the focus should remain on ensuring a fair and transparent investigation.
Why the Case Became a National Controversy
The case gained national attention because of the background of the accused family. Twisha Sharma’s husband, Samarth Singh, is a practising lawyer, while her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, served as a district judge in the past.
Following protests by Twisha’s family outside the residence of Mohan Yadav, the Madhya Pradesh government assured the family that the case would be transferred to the CBI. Samarth Singh was later sent to police custody by a Bhopal court.
Supreme Court Took Suo Motu Action
The Supreme Court took the unusual step of starting suo motu proceedings in the matter after allegations surfaced regarding lack of transparency in the initial investigation and post-mortem. Twisha Sharma’s family also approached AIIMS Delhi seeking an independent forensic and medical examination.
The family claimed several important details were ignored during the first post-mortem conducted in Bhopal. According to the family, there were blunt force injuries on Twisha’s arm and forearm, while certain radiological examinations of the neck area were allegedly not carried out properly.
Emotional Hearing in Supreme Court
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of the Madhya Pradesh government. While discussing the tragedy, he remarked that “a divorced daughter is better than a dead one,” highlighting the emotional and social impact of such cases.
The Supreme Court also expressed sympathy for the family and acknowledged the pain caused by the incident. However, the bench reminded all sides that investigations must follow proper legal procedures.
Twisha Sharma’s Last Rites Performed
Twisha Sharma’s last rites were conducted in Bhopal on Sunday evening. Her brother, Harshit Sharma, lit the funeral pyre after what the family described as a long struggle for justice over the last 12 days.
The case is now expected to move forward under the supervision of the CBI as demands for transparency and accountability continue to grow. As the CBI prepares to take over, the Twisha Sharma case is expected to remain under close public and media attention in the coming weeks.
