Bhopal: As the police remand of former judge Giribala Singh in the Twisha Sharma death case is set to conclude on Tuesday, legal and prison circles are raising concerns about the possibility of her being sent to judicial custody in a regular jail facility in Bhopal. Sources indicate that several inmates currently lodged in the premises were either convicted or sentenced during her tenure on the bench.
Background of the Case
Singh served as the district judge of Bhopal between 2021 and 2023. It remains unclear whether the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is currently probing the Twisha Sharma death case, will seek an extension of Singh's police remand or produce her before court for judicial custody. The decision is expected to depend on the progress of interrogation and whether investigators believe further custodial questioning is necessary.
Security and Administrative Concerns
Sources familiar with prison administration said apprehensions stem from the fact that inmates currently housed in state prisons include women convicted or sentenced in cases heard by Giribala Singh during her judicial career. Among them are accused and convicts linked to the Vyapam scam, besides offenders involved in serious criminal cases adjudicated by courts presided over by her.
Officials privately acknowledged that lodging a former judicial officer in a regular prison barrack presents unusual security and administrative concerns. Prison authorities are often required to assess potential vulnerabilities, particularly where inmates may harbour resentment arising from convictions or sentencing delivered in the past.
Threat Assessment and Special Arrangements
“In such cases, prison administration generally conducts a threat and vulnerability assessment,” said a senior official familiar with jail procedures. He added that former judicial officers, police personnel, and public servants can require additional security considerations due to the nature of their previous roles. Under prison rules, authorities may adopt special arrangements in exceptional situations involving vulnerable inmates or those facing heightened security risks. These can include segregated accommodation, enhanced monitoring, or separate enclosures depending on the perceived threat, say officers.
