The last rites of former actor-model Twisha Sharma, who was allegedly subjected to dowry harassment, were performed on Sunday evening in Bhopal. Her brother, Major Harshit Sharma, lit the funeral pyre, concluding a 12-day ordeal for the family. However, their pursuit of justice remains ongoing. Her mother, Neelam Sharma, struggled to walk the hundred-metre stretch from the entrance, her voice breaking into sobs that echoed across the cremation ground.
Family's Statement After Cremation
Speaking after his daughter's cremation in Bhopal, Navnidhi Sharma expressed, "We cannot imagine life without Twisha. The support we have received gives us strength, and I am confident justice will be served. This case will stand as an example and help restore people's trust in the judicial system. I am grateful to the Supreme Court for stepping in on its own to ensure fairness."
Delay Forces Violation of Traditions
In a press statement released just hours before the cremation, the Sharma family detailed the agony of their long wait. They noted that the delay forced them to violate deeply held Hindu traditions, which ordinarily dictate that post-death rituals be completed within a 13-day mourning period.
Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the case. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi, is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday. The funeral was made possible after a specialised medical team from AIIMS Delhi conducted a meticulous, second post-mortem at AIIMS Bhopal for nearly three hours. The procedure focused mainly on preserving evidence and investigating physical injuries that the family alleges were overlooked in the initial local probe.
Details of the Second Autopsy
Doctors examined whether Twisha's death could be linked to suicide, trauma, or intoxication. Standard operating procedures were followed, with viscera samples taken for forensic testing. Three cavities — stomach, liver, and kidney — were preserved for intoxication analysis. The heart was studied for signs of myocardial infarction, the lungs for poisoning, and the head for clots. Surface bruises and abrasions were measured for depth to assess trauma, according to sources.
Forensic Tests and Next Steps
Viscera and tissue samples will undergo histopathology and toxicology tests in Delhi. Sources said the first autopsy report will be legally compared with the AIIMS Delhi findings once the samples reach the national capital. Police may also recreate the crime scene to probe allegations of domestic violence, sources said.
Background of the Case
Twisha, 33, died under suspicious circumstances at her Katara Hills home on May 12. Her in-laws claim suicide, while her parents allege murder linked to dowry harassment. The Delhi AIIMS team departed Bhopal after the autopsy and will return on Monday with samples and records. The final report will take time, as laboratory tests remain pending, sources said.
