The Madhya Pradesh High Court has quashed the anticipatory bail of former district judge Giribala Singh in the dowry death case of her daughter-in-law Twisha Sharma, with Madhya Pradesh Advocate General Prashant Singh disclosing on Thursday, 28 May that seven ante-mortem injuries were found on the victim's body — a detail the High Court considered central to the gravity of the case.

Justice Devnarayan Mishra set aside the anticipatory bail that had been granted by a Bhopal sessions court through its 15 May order, ruling that the lower court had failed to adequately examine critical evidence before extending relief to the accused.

Key Findings That Led to Bail Cancellation

The High Court, after reviewing the case diary and related materials, found the sessions court order suffered from serious infirmities. The bench observed that vital witness testimonies, documentary evidence, and WhatsApp conversations contained in the case diary had been overlooked before bail was granted to Giribala Singh.

Advocate General Prashant Singh noted that the presence of seven ante-mortem injuries on Twisha Sharma's body was one of the key points the High Court took into account. 'One of the key points considered by the High Court was that seven ante-mortem injuries were found on Twisha Sharma's body, which reflects the gravity of the case,' he said.

Allegations of Dowry Harassment and Non-Cooperation

The FIR in the case explicitly contains allegations of cruelty and dowry harassment against the accused. The Advocate General pointed out that Twisha Sharma's unnatural death occurred within six months of her marriage, bringing the case within the legal ambit of alleged dowry death under Indian law.

Prashant Singh further stated that the investigating team had issued multiple notices to Giribala Singh, but the required cooperation was allegedly not forthcoming — a direct violation of a condition attached to her anticipatory bail. 'While granting anticipatory bail, the court had clearly mentioned that she would cooperate with the investigation. However, the investigating team did not receive the expected cooperation,' he said.

WhatsApp Chats and Witness Statements

Witness statements recorded during the investigation reportedly support the allegations laid out in the complaint. The Advocate General also flagged that an examination of WhatsApp chats could yield further evidence of dowry-related cruelty allegedly faced by Twisha Sharma.

These digital records, along with case diary entries, were among the materials the High Court said the sessions court had not adequately considered before granting bail.

What Happens Next

With the anticipatory bail now quashed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Giribala Singh faces renewed legal exposure in the dowry death investigation. The case is expected to proceed with a fresh examination of the evidence, including witness testimonies and digital communications, as the probe continues in Jabalpur.