The family of Twisha Sharma, the model-turned-actress who was found dead in her matrimonial home in Bhopal earlier this month, has sought an investigation into a series of phone calls allegedly made by her mother-in-law, retired Additional Justice Giripala Singh, soon after the incident.
In a detailed statement, the family questioned why Giripala Singh contacted senior government officials, members of the judiciary and technicians associated with CCTV maintenance immediately after Toysha’s death, while the victim’s parents remained “in the dark”, news agency PTI reported.
Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation into Twisha’s death due to harassment by her in-laws.
Post-accident communications
The family’s statement came a day after Giripala Singh told a first-class judicial magistrate that eight CCTV cameras installed at her house were being managed by a private company and were not being maintained properly. According to her submission to the court, the footage reflected an incorrect time stamp, showing a discrepancy of two days, two hours and 20 minutes.
Read also | Twisha Sharma dowry death case: Former judge Giribala Singh gets final notice to record his statement
She stated in her request that the wrong date and time in the footage caused confusion among the public.
However, Twisha’s family said the sequence of communications that allegedly occurred after the incident needs more careful scrutiny. Referring to the documents submitted to the court, the family alleged that Giribala Singh contacted senior members of the judiciary, Lokayukta officials and technicians associated with CCTV systems.
Although some of the calls were publicly described as condolence calls, the family questioned the timing of those conversations and the involvement of technical staff.
Read also | Twisha Sharma’s relatives demand an investigation into her mother-in-law’s calls to public figures and CCTV technicians
“While the family respects each individual who has expressed sympathy… they are unable to understand how persons associated with CCTV maintenance or technical services became relevant participants in such communications immediately after the incident,” the statement read.
The family also said CCTV footage and digital records are important pieces of evidence in any suspicious death investigation, and urged investigators to independently verify the purpose and context of each communication.
The statement added: “This is not an allegation, but rather a legitimate question that deserves clarification through a fair and transparent investigation.”
Questions about the investigation and public statements
The family also expressed concern that despite having multiple high-level contacts, they themselves were struggling to obtain information about their daughter’s condition and the circumstances surrounding her death.
Read also | Meher Twisha death: Mother-in-law seeks DVR contents recorded by police
“A grieving mother and father were desperately searching for answers regarding their daughter’s condition and circumstances, yet found themselves relying on fragmented information,” the statement read.
She also questioned how Giripala Singh, who faces criminal charges in the case, was able to give interviews while the investigation remained active.
“Twisha Sharma is no longer alive to explain her version of events. She cannot respond to the allegations… The focus should remain on discovering the truth rather than questioning the character of the person who cannot respond,” the family stated.
Police procedures and legal procedures
Twisha Sharma was found hanged at her marital home in Katara Hills area of Bhopal on May 12. Her family accused her in-laws of harassing her over dowry and pushing her to death. Her in-laws claimed that she was addicted to drugs.
Read also | Bhopal ‘dowry death’ case: A watch notice has been issued against the absconding husband of the deceased woman
The police registered an FIR under Sections 80(2), 85 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with relevant sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act against Twisha’s husband Samarth Singh and Giripala Singh.
The most important developments in the case
The MP government is seeking a CBI probe
Madhya Pradesh has asked the CBI to take over the investigation into Twisha Sharma’s death.
Former judge Giripala Singh receives final notice from police
Bhopal Police issued a third and final notice to Giripala Singh to record her statement in connection with the case. She has been booked along with Twisha Sharma’s husband in a dowry harassment case.
The fugitive husband refers to the Supreme Court to obtain anticipatory bail
Samarth Singh, who is currently absconding, approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking pre-arrest bail. He claimed in his confession that his family was cooperating with investigators, and said that interrogation in detention was not necessary.
Friends and relatives protest at Jantar Mantar
Relatives and friends of Twisha Sharma staged a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding a CBI probe into her death. The protest came days after the 33-year-old was found hanged at her marital home in Bhopal.
The autopsy says death was due to hanging
The post-mortem report said that Twisha Sharma died due to “ante-mortem suspension with a ligature”. The report also indicated several minor injuries resulting from the use of sharp force in different parts of her body.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
