The family of Twisha Sharma is confronted with an excruciating decision: either accept the body of their 33-year-old daughter for final rites or persist in the legal pursuit for a second post-mortem examination, as concerns over decomposition intensify. Twisha was discovered hanging on the terrace of her in-laws' residence in Bhopal on the night of May 12, a mere five months following her marriage.
Since May 13, her body has been preserved at the AIIMS Bhopal mortuary after her parents declined to take custody, insisting on a fresh autopsy and an independent investigation into the suspicious circumstances of her death. In a formal communication to the family, police disclosed that the body was being stored at minus 4 degrees Celsius. However, doctors from the institute's Forensic Medicine and Toxicology department cautioned that a temperature of minus 80 degrees Celsius is essential to prevent decomposition. The letter noted, "This facility is not available at AIIMS Bhopal."
Police stated they had "no objection to conducting a re-postmortem" but warned that "since the deceased’s body has been lying in the mortuary for a long time, there is a strong possibility of decomposition." The family was urged to "kindly take custody of the deceased’s body." The case, registered at Katara Hills police station, involves charges related to dowry harassment.
Twisha's parents have consistently maintained that her death was suspicious and have called for a second post-mortem by an independent medical board. In a statement issued Wednesday, the family emphasized that "an independent medical opinion from a premier national institution will help restore public confidence in the investigation." An application for a second autopsy was filed Tuesday before Magistrate Anudita Gupta, with a hearing expected Wednesday.
The family stated that the request aims to ensure "transparency and preserve vital forensic evidence in connection with the suspicious circumstances surrounding Twisha’s death." With the body in the mortuary for over eight days, the family expressed concern that further delays could compromise crucial forensic findings.
