The investigation into the death of 33-year-old model and actress Twisha Sharma has intensified, with her mother-in-law and retired judge Giribala Singh rejecting allegations of dowry harassment and claiming the victim had been undergoing psychiatric treatment.
Mother-in-law's Defense
Speaking about the case, Singh said, “Our lawyer will explain everything. Where have charges been framed? The matter is still at the discharge stage. I think the police, under pressure from these people and because of all these WhatsApp messages and allegations, which have no real basis, acted in haste. Their allegations are completely baseless. Why would we demand a dowry of two lakh rupees when we ourselves gave them seven-and-a-half lakh rupees? It simply makes no sense.”
Claims About Twisha's Behavior
She further alleged that Twisha had changed after marriage and was not interested in the family’s religious practices. “Very soon I realised that she was not the person I had understood her to be. We had thought she was very cultured and spiritual. I even used to recite Sanskrit shlokas with her. But later she stopped doing prayers and worship completely. At least lighting incense sticks and lamps in morning and evening, offering prayers to the Tulsi plant, these were regular things in our house. But she had no interest in any of this. She herself had said she was not interested at all,” Singh said.
Allegations of Marijuana Use
The mother-in-law also claimed that Twisha had admitted to consuming marijuana before terminating a pregnancy. “Yes, she admitted in front of me and the doctor that she had consumed a large quantity of marijuana/cannabis. The doctor had asked why she wanted to terminate the pregnancy, and she said she had consumed a lot of marijuana. Because of that, in her room there were always scented candles and fragrances kept around. I think that was to hide the smell,” she alleged.
Medical Termination of Pregnancy
According to Singh, Twisha underwent a Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) shortly before her death and later regretted the decision. “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,” she said. Providing a timeline, Singh added, “On 7th May, she must have taken the pill; she completed the entire MTP procedure, and we had to support her.”
Questioning the Role of Twisha's Father
She also alleged that Twisha’s parents had remained distant from her for several months and questioned the role of her father. “I also called her mother, as she was needed there. For five months, her parents never visited. We deliberately did not call her father, as he has a very strange personality. For nearly twenty years, he has been working in the pharmaceutical industry—specifically in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; he could potentially be the source of many things. I think they were earning out of all her. But the matter is sub judice,” Singh alleged.
Psychiatric Treatment Claims
Calling the death a “profound loss” for the family, Singh claimed that Twisha had been receiving psychiatric counselling and medication. “She went for psychiatric counselling also, and medicines were prescribed to her, which are given to a schizophrenic patient,” Singh told ANI. “She would remain stable for a day or so, but then again, there would be a slight change in her condition. We observed some physical symptoms, a slight trembling in her hands, which is typical of withdrawal symptoms. She destroyed everything,” she added.
Background of the Case
Twisha Sharma, a resident of Noida, married Bhopal-based Samarth Singh in December 2025. She died on May 12. Her family has accused her husband and in-laws of mental torture and dowry harassment. Police have registered a case against Samarth Singh and his mother, Giribala Singh, and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
Legal Developments
While Giribala Singh was granted anticipatory bail, Samarth Singh’s plea was rejected. Police have also announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to his arrest, as he remains absconding. Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajneesh Kashyap Kaul said six teams were investigating the case and authorities had written to the passport office to prevent the accused from leaving the country.
Father's Response
Speaking to ANI, Twisha’s father Navnidhi Sharma questioned the anticipatory bail granted to Singh and supported the police’s arguments in court. “The arguments presented by the police today were very good. The police argued that these individuals are highly influential people and that they could tamper with the evidence. If this argument by the police is indeed correct, then based on this, the decision to release the first accused on bail was erroneous,” he said. He further added, “Either this is flawed, or the police are at fault. From our side, we will certainly continue to make every possible effort. In cases involving dowry-related deaths, specifically if the death occurs within seven years of the marriage, the accused is required to be taken into custody. Yet here, you granted bail immediately after the FIR was lodged, allowing for anticipatory bail to be secured even while the police were explicitly stating that these are influential individuals who could tamper with the evidence.”
A relative of the deceased also alleged inconsistencies in the bail orders, saying that grounds cited to deny bail to Samarth Singh were later used to grant relief to his mother.
