Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Madhya Pradesh government, told the Supreme Court on Monday during the hearing in the death case of former actress Twisha Sharma that there is one moral imperative for parents: it is better to have a divorced daughter than a dead daughter.
“One thing is clear, the girl lost her life. Whether it was suicide or something else, the morality for parents is that it is better to have a divorced daughter than a dead daughter,” he told the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court was told on Monday that the CBI is likely to take over the death case within a day. The bench also recorded the MP government’s report that it has already written to the Center recommending a CBI probe into the matter.
Supreme Court hears Twisha Sharma death case
The parliamentary government informed the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that the investigation into the matter will be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Supreme Court also urged both sides of the case, as well as the media, to avoid making public statements.
“Do not rely on the statements of the victim’s family or other family. Otherwise, a section says the judiciary is not allowing a fair trial. We have no doubt on the state agencies or the CBI. This is only because some kind of narrative is being created. We will ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the unfortunate incident that occurred,” the CJI said.
The proceedings were initiated suo motu after the court took note of allegations of institutional bias and procedural irregularities in the investigation into Twisha Sharma’s death.
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, who appeared for the deceased victim, raised concerns over the delay in filing the FIR and said some issues would need to be addressed before the CBI formally takes charge of the investigation.
However, the court made it clear that it had not considered the subject of the investigation and left the matter open for the CBI to investigate independently.
“We would like to assure the family members of the victim that if they start making statements in public or on media platforms, they should instead record their version before the investigating agency so as not to create any bias or adverse impact on the ongoing investigation,” the court noted in its order.
The Supreme Court also said that the media should avoid recording statements of people who may later become witnesses or accused in the case.
“They may not unnecessarily prejudge one issue or another,” the council said.
Twisha Sharma death case
Twisha Sharma, 33, was found hanged at her marital home in Katara Hills area of Bhopal on May 12. Her family accused her in-laws of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide, while Singh’s family claimed that she was addicted to drugs.
The police registered an FIR under Sections 80(2), 85 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act, against Samarth Singh and his mother.
The case has received significant public attention amid allegations about the handling of forensic evidence, CCTV footage, delays in registering an FIR, and concerns about the potential impact on the investigation.
Earlier, the National Commission for Women had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter, terming the death “suspicious” and seeking a report from local authorities on the action.
