The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently reviewing a final forensic report from an AIIMS-Delhi medical board regarding the death of Twisha Sharma, a former model found hanging at her in-laws' residence in Bhopal in May. The 11-page report, submitted to the CBI in a sealed cover on July 10, confirms the presence of skin tissue on a gymnastics belt with a metal ring, which matches the injury pattern on the victim's neck, according to sources.
Background of the Case
Twisha Sharma, aged 33, married Samarth Singh in December of the previous year. She was discovered hanging at her marital home on May 12. The initial post-mortem could not identify the ligature used, as the belt was not available for examination. The belt was later seized by police and submitted to a second medical board led by AIIMS-Delhi experts, in compliance with a Madhya Pradesh High Court order.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Samarth Singh brought Twisha to AIIMS-Bhopal, claiming she had hanged herself at home at 10:20 pm on May 12. However, a doctor at AIIMS-Bhopal reported to the police on May 13 that she was brought dead, leading to the registration of a medico-legal case.
Family Allegations and High Court Intervention
Twisha's family alleged in the FIR that she spoke to her mother at 9:41 pm on the night of the incident. During the call, Samarth could be heard shouting before the phone was abruptly disconnected. After repeated unanswered calls, Twisha's mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, a retired judge, reportedly informed Twisha's sister-in-law that "she is no more" and then cut the call.
The first post-mortem report concluded death by "antemortem hanging by ligature" and noted "multiple antemortem injuries." Dissatisfied with the initial investigation and post-mortem, Twisha's family approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which ordered a second autopsy by AIIMS-Delhi and subsequently transferred the investigation to the CBI. The family alleged that Twisha faced torment from her in-laws over dowry dissatisfaction, as well as mental torture and domestic violence.
AIIMS Medical Board Findings
The AIIMS-Delhi team conducted the second post-mortem on May 24 and also visited the crime scene. Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Head of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS-Delhi, declined to disclose specific findings but stated, "The medical board deliberated very minutely on the case from all possible angles, took into consideration all available national and international journals for almost one month before giving a detailed opinion with scientific justification. It is a crystal-clear opinion for the CBI and the judiciary in the interest of truth and justice." He added that the report was submitted to the CBI in a sealed cover as per court directives.
Current Status of Investigation
Sources indicate that the CBI is meticulously studying the AIIMS report to determine the next steps in the investigation. The forensic evidence confirming skin tissue on the gymnastics belt is considered a crucial piece of evidence. The case continues to draw attention due to the allegations of domestic violence and dowry-related harassment.
