The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday reconstructed the circumstances surrounding the death of former model and actor Twisha Sharma, who allegedly died by suicide at her marital home in Bhopal on May 12. To replicate the weight and body balance of the deceased, investigators used a sand-filled dummy weighing approximately 80 kilograms, with iron dumbbells tied to its feet. The primary objective was to verify whether the account provided by former judge Giribala Singh and her lawyer son Samarth, who claimed they brought the deceased down after finding her hanging, was physically plausible.
Reconstruction of Events
Giribala, who served as Bhopal's district judge between 2021 and 2023, was brought to the house along with her son for the reconstruction exercise, which lasted nearly two hours. Investigators asked Giribala to demonstrate the process of removing the noose and untying the gymnastic strap from the dummy while Samarth held it. Each step was observed and meticulously recorded by the officials, according to sources.
Mother and son were also required to explain, step by step, how events unfolded from the moment Twisha was allegedly found hanging to the process of bringing her down and subsequently taking her to the hospital. The agency is now examining whether the details recorded so far align with the layout of the house, the timing of the alleged suicide, and forensic indicators.
Ongoing Investigation
The reconstruction is one of several investigative threads that the CBI is pursuing simultaneously. The probe team is likely to summon the doctor who reportedly advised Twisha to undergo an abortion, seeking details of consultations, prescriptions, and her physical and mental condition prior to that step. Investigators are also scrutinizing Samarth's movements during the period he remained untraceable after a First Information Report (FIR) regarding his wife's death was registered on May 15. Specific attention is being given to allegations of possible tampering of evidence and claims of physical assault on Twisha before her death.
Custody and Security Concerns
Giribala's police remand is set to end on Tuesday, and it remains unclear whether the CBI will seek an extension or produce her in court for judicial custody. The decision is expected to depend on the progress of interrogation and whether investigators believe further custodial questioning is necessary.
The prospect of judicial custody has raised an unusual concern. Sources in the prison administration stated that several inmates currently housed in Bhopal jail are women convicted or sentenced in cases heard by Giribala during her tenure on the bench, including accused and convicts linked to the Vyapam scam. Keeping a former judicial officer in a regular prison barrack is fraught with security risks, as inmates convicted and sentenced by her could harbor resentment. In such cases, the prison administration generally conducts a threat and vulnerability assessment, a senior official said, adding that former judicial officers, police personnel, and public servants may require additional security considerations. Prison authorities may adopt special arrangements in exceptional situations, including segregated accommodation, additional surveillance, or separate enclosures, depending on the perceived threat, officers noted.
