A four-member forensic team from AIIMS New Delhi arrived in Bhopal on a state government charter aircraft Saturday evening to conduct a fresh autopsy on model-turned-actor Twisha Sharma. This follows orders from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, hours after her husband Samarth Singh was sent to seven-day police remand in the alleged dowry death case.
Background of the Case
Twisha, the 33-year-old daughter-in-law of retired Bhopal judge Giribala Singh, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in her marital home in Bhopal on May 12. Her family later challenged the initial autopsy findings and sought an independent forensic review, alleging inconsistencies in the investigation.
Forensic Team's Role
Dr Sudhir Gupta, head of forensic medicine at AIIMS New Delhi, stated, "The body is currently at the mortuary of AIIMS Bhopal. Our team will conduct a post-mortem examination in the interest of justice." He added that forensic experts would also examine the scene, ligature material, and other medico-legal evidence linked to the case. "The team will also interact with the parents of the deceased to address their grievances," Gupta said.
Police Remand and Investigation
Earlier Saturday, police produced Samarth before a Bhopal court and sought seven days' custody for interrogation. ACP Rajneesh Kashyap, heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT), told the court of judicial magistrate first class Anudita Gupta that the accused was allegedly not cooperating and insisted on speaking to his lawyer. The court granted police remand till May 29.
Key Areas of Questioning
Investigators are expected to question Samarth about:
- His movements on the day of his newlywed wife's death
- The circumstances behind alleged disputes in the marriage
- Allegations linked to medical termination of pregnancy (MTP), which police believe may have contributed to the deterioration in the relationship
Police commissioner Sanjay Kumar said the SIT would examine where Samarth remained while on the run after Twisha's death and who may have helped him evade arrest. Police said his mobile phone would be sent for forensic tests to retrieve allegedly deleted material.
Crime Scene Reconstruction
Police plan to reconstruct the crime scene and examine CCTV footage and DVR recordings seized from his home, including footage from the week preceding Twisha's death. Twisha's final phone calls and WhatsApp conversations are expected to form a crucial part of the inquiry. Sources said investigators are focusing on what they described as a possible "trigger point" when Twisha allegedly began sending distress messages to her mother describing suffocation, emotional trauma, and harassment.
Forensic Evidence and Wounds
Multiple wounds recorded on Twisha's body are likely to remain another central focus. The post-mortem examination reportedly mentioned several ante-mortem blunt-force wounds described as simple in nature. Investigators are expected to seek clarity on the age of wounds and whether they were from close to the time of death or earlier. The timing of her messages will be compared with forensic findings from the autopsy report, including reference to undergoing MTP a week before death.
