The Supreme Court of India on Monday stressed the need for a “fair and impartial” investigation into the death of former actor-model Twisha Sharma and supported the Madhya Pradesh government’s decision to hand the case over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Twisha Sharma, 33, was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12. Her family has accused her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide, while the in-laws claimed she was struggling with drug addiction.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said an independent agency should investigate the case because questions had been raised about the fairness of the probe.
The court also referred to an India Today report published on May 18, which highlighted concerns about alleged institutional bias and irregularities in the investigation.
The judges noted that Twisha’s husband, Samarth Singh, is a practising lawyer and her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, is a retired district judge. Because of this, allegations were being made that influence could affect the investigation.
The Supreme Court clarified that it had no doubts about the functioning of state agencies, but said an independent investigation was necessary because a public narrative had developed around the case.
The court also requested both sides and the media not to make public statements that could affect the investigation.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state government, said that “a divorced daughter is better than a dead one.”
The case gained national attention after Twisha’s family protested outside the residence of Mohan Yadav demanding justice and a fresh post-mortem examination.
The Supreme Court had taken suo motu notice of the matter after allegations that the first investigation and post-mortem lacked transparency.
Twisha’s family had also approached All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi (AIIMS Delhi), seeking a detailed forensic examination. They alleged that some injuries on her body were not properly examined in the first post-mortem.
Twisha’s last rites were performed in Bhopal on Sunday after nearly 12 days of protests and legal proceedings.
