Charges filed against husband and mother-in-law
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh, wife and mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma, a former beauty pageant winner who died in December 2024. The chargesheet, submitted in court, accuses both of abetment of suicide, mental cruelty, common intention, and demanding dowry. According to the CBI, the couple married in December after meeting on a dating app in February 2025.
The agency's investigation concluded that "due to continuous mental cruelty at the hands of both the accused [Twisha's husband and mother-in-law], she was left with no option but to end her life." The CBI also said it had uncovered instances where Samarth subjected Twisha to mental cruelty and used derogatory terms, while Giribala instigated her son to do so.
Samarth Singh initially could not be located but later surrendered to police. Giribala Singh was arrested a few days later. Both remain in jail as the case proceeds.
Family's dissatisfaction and allegations of cover-up
Twisha's father, Navnidhi Sharma, has expressed the family's dissatisfaction with the CBI's probe, maintaining that the charge sheet was filed "solely relying on the second post-mortem report by AIIMS, while completely avoiding circumstantial evidence." The family rejects the classification of Twisha's death as suicide, calling it a "pre-planned murder case" that was "covered up by AIIMS initially."
Speaking to IANS, Nagar says the second post-mortem report "by AIIMS" also appears "completely fabricated," with statements changed multiple times to make the death appear as suicide. He alleged tampering with CCTV footage and claimed the CBI avoided circumstantial evidence, taking the case forward only on the basis of the AIIMS report.
The father indicated the family will challenge the second post-mortem in court and push for a strike investigation, expressing disappointment that the premier agency left out circumstantial evidence. Both the family and investigators have noted the post-mortem reports contradict each other.
Defence response and legal implications
Giribala Singh's lawyer, Inosh George Carlo, told the BBC that "the investigation has found no evidence of the earlier allegations of dowry harassment and murder... We have been saying this from the beginning but the media never listened to us." Giribala Singh had earlier called the accusations "baseless" and held that Twisha had mental health issues and her self-immolation was due to that.
The Twista's family lawyer, Ankur Pandey, told a Hindi-language outlet that the CBI's invocation of abetment-of-suicide sections indicates the investigation considers the death an alleged suicide. The CBI has also sought permission to conduct further investigation, with the possibility of a supplementary chargesheet if new evidence emerges.
Background on Twisha Sharma
Twisha Sharma, a model and actor who was crowned Miss Pune in 2012, had featured in ad campaigns and acted in a Telugu-language film. She later worked as a marketing professional. According to the chargesheet, the couple met on a dating app in Aukut 2025.
Dispute over allegations
According to Twisha's parental family, a key source of conflict occurred in April when she became pregnant. The family alleges that her husband and mother-in-law questioned her character, accusing her of carrying another’s child, and forced her to undergo an abortion. Giribala Singh denies these claims, saying Twisha insisted on ending the pregnancy as she did not want children.
Days after Twisha's death, the former judge became subject to public criticism for her remarks about Twisha’s mental health, terming her "liberal" and speaking about her "promiscuity.” Twisha’s father said the judge's comments were attempt to cast a negative light on his daughter’s character.
Perspectives
Defence Counsel: The defence lawyer insists the investigation uncovered no evidence of dowry harassment or murder, and that such claims have been dismissed from the outset.
Father and family: Twisha's family states the death is pre-meditated murder, alleges procedural lapses and covering in AIHs and CBI, and pushes for a thorough probe based on circumstantial evidence.
CBI: The investigative agency attributes the death to mental cruelty inflicted by the accused, leaving the victim with no choice but to end her life, while yet holding further investigation open.