The suspicious death case of 33-year-old model-actor Twisha Sharma in Bhopal has taken a critical legal turn after a sessions court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of her husband, lawyer Samarth Singh, who is currently absconding. Police have announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Case Background
Twisha Sharma was found hanging at her home in Katara Hills on May 12, months after her marriage in December 2025. She had met Samarth Singh on a dating app in 2024. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing allegations of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. Twisha’s family has alleged sustained mental and physical harassment, while the accused side has strongly denied the charges.
Procedural Lapses and Investigation
Misrod ACP Rajneesh Kashyap, who is heading the SIT, confirmed a procedural lapse: the rope allegedly used in the incident was not sent for forensic examination during the post-mortem at AIIMS Bhopal. Efforts are underway to trace the accused.
Court Proceedings
During court proceedings, the defence opposed arrest by raising questions about Twisha’s mental health. The victim’s family countered this, describing it as an attempt to divert attention from allegations of harassment. Sessions Court Judge Pallavi Dwivedi rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Samarth Singh.
Reacting to the order, Twisha’s father Navnidhi Sharma called it only a partial step. “Rejection of the anticipatory bail plea was not our victory. Our victory will be when both are punished,” he said, demanding the arrest of both the husband and his mother. He also expressed concern that the accused may move the high court to seek relief.
Counterclaims and Allegations
At the centre of the escalating dispute are the remarks made by Twisha’s mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh, during a press conference. She claimed Twisha had expressed regret after beginning a medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) procedure. “When she started the first course of the MTP, she said she wanted to reverse this, which I knew was not possible. She didn't let us feel that fleeting moment of joy. It is truly heartbreaking; young girls often take this drastic step,” Singh said. She outlined a timeline of the procedure, stating: “On 7th May, she must have taken the pill; she completed the entire MTP procedure, and we had to support her.” Giribala Singh also alleged neglect by Twisha’s parents and questioned her father’s professional background, while noting the matter remained sub judice.
To counter the dowry allegations, the retired judge attached online transaction slips ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000, claiming they regularly provided for Twisha's needs. However, Twisha's family has fiercely rubbished these allegations, presenting a different timeline of events. They described Twisha as a jolly and happening girl who drastically changed after marriage, losing 15 kilograms due to relentless mental torture. Her cousin, Meenakshi, alleged that the harassment peaked when Twisha lost her work-from-home job and became pregnant, and her husband refused to acknowledge the child.
Conflict Over Forensic Evidence
While preliminary post-mortem findings point to death by hanging, Twisha’s family has alleged signs of injury and foul play, demanding a fresh post-mortem at AIIMS Delhi. Police say the SIT is examining all angles, including dowry harassment, abetment, and alleged lapses in the handling of forensic evidence. As the investigation continues, the case remains mired in conflicting claims, with both sides presenting sharply different versions of Twisha Sharma’s final months.
