The post-mortem examination of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma, who died in Bhopal earlier this month, has concluded that the cause of death was antemortem hanging by ligature. The autopsy also documented multiple simple blunt-force injuries on her body. The examination was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at AIIMS Bhopal.
Details of the Autopsy
According to the report, Sharma was found hanging from a gymnastic ring rope on the terrace of her home at around 10:26 PM on May 12. She was declared dead shortly after midnight on May 13. Doctors noted a double reddish patterned ligature mark running obliquely around the upper third of the neck. The skin beneath it was described as dry, hard, and parchmentized, and the mark was incomplete at the back of the neck.
The report also recorded signs consistent with asphyxia, including facial congestion, bluish discolouration of the ears and fingernails, and petechial haemorrhages in the right eye. Alongside the ligature findings, the autopsy documented multiple antemortem injuries elsewhere on the body. These included abrasions on the left side of the neck, bruises on the left upper arm, left forearm, right wrist, and right ring finger, and a 2 cm x 2 cm bruise beneath the scalp in the left frontoparietal region.
Internal Findings and Toxicology
During internal examination, doctors found two small bruised patches in tissues beneath the ligature mark. The lungs showed Tardieu's spots, a feature commonly associated with asphyxiation, while congestion was also noted in the brain, lungs, and stomach lining. The report further noted that the uterus was enlarged and contained reddish-grey friable tissue, suggesting retained decidual tissue. It added that there was a history of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) performed a week before her death.
The medical board concluded that while hanging was the cause of death, the other injuries appeared to be simple antemortem injuries caused by blunt force. Samples including blood, viscera, nail clippings, and hair have been preserved and sent for toxicology and DNA analysis to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), to rule out intoxication and aid further investigation.
Investigation Progress
Police said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) along with local units is continuing efforts to trace the accused in the case and gather evidence. Speaking to ANI, Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajnish Kashyap Kaul said, "Regarding the lookout notice, necessary correspondence has been initiated with the DCP office, Bhopal Commissionerate, and the Regional Passport Office." "Our SIT team, along with local teams, is actively engaged. We are gathering intelligence through both technical means and human sources. The DCP has also announced a reward," he added.
Authorities have announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Samarth Singh, the prime accused in the case.
Family Statements and Allegations
The investigation gained further attention after Twisha Sharma's mother-in-law and retired judge Giribala Singh made claims about the circumstances leading up to her death. "On the 17th, the moment she received confirmation of her pregnancy, her entire demeanour changed; she declared that she did not want to keep this child," Singh told ANI, adding that Twisha later underwent MTP. She further alleged that her son was emotionally distressed after the termination and said the case against the family was being wrongly pursued.
Twisha's father, Navnidhi Sharma, has rejected these claims and accused the accused's family of attempting to malign his daughter's reputation. "This woman is currently out on anticipatory bail, and she is violating the conditions of that bail. She is violating the law by coming before the media and, in this manner, publicly maligning the character of the deceased," Sharma alleged. He has also called for a second post-mortem examination and demanded an independent investigation overseen by the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of India.
Twisha Sharma, a resident of Noida, married Bhopal resident Samarth Singh in December 2025. Her family has alleged mental harassment and dowry-related abuse, prompting police to register a case and form an SIT.
