Twisha Sharma case: Father denies skin tissue found on belt
Synopsis
Twisha Sharma's father has publicly denied reports that skin tissue was recovered from the gymnastics belt at the centre of the Bhopal dowry death case — calling it unverified and without official backing. Meanwhile, a court extended the custody of accused former judge Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh to 28 July after both allegedly refused to cooperate with CBI voice sample collection.
Key Takeaways
Navnidhi Sharma , father of Twisha Sharma , denied on 14 July that skin tissue was found on the gymnastics belt linked to her death.
Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal's Katara Hills on the night of 12 May .
A Bhopal district court extended judicial custody of accused Giribala Singh and Samarth Singh until 28 July .
The CBI told the court both accused failed to cooperate during voice sample collection; the court granted fresh permission to collect samples.
AIIMS Bhopal informed the court that the post-mortem report had already been submitted to the CBI in a sealed cover and cannot be separately shared with the family.
The father of Twisha Sharma, the Bhopal dowry death victim, on Tuesday, 14 July flatly denied media reports claiming that skin tissue had been recovered from a gymnastics belt — the alleged ligature material that was reportedly not produced during her first post-mortem examination. Navnidhi Sharma said there is no official basis for the claim and questioned its origin.
Father Disputes the Reports
'There is no source of such information. Nobody is claiming...who has spread the news that tissue was found on a belt? Because there is no official reflection on this,' Navnidhi Sharma said. He added that the family's next legal step will be guided by the charge sheet to be filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Background: The Twisha Sharma Case
Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal's Katara Hills area on the night of 12 May. Her in-laws maintained she died by suicide, while her maternal family alleged murder and dowry harassment. The case drew widespread attention after Giribala Singh, the victim's mother-in-law and a former district judge, and her son Samarth Singh were arrested as accused.
Custody Extended, Voice Samples Disputed
A Bhopal district court on Tuesday extended the judicial custody of Giribala Singh and Samarth Singh until 28 July, after the CBI informed the court that neither had cooperated during the collection of their voice samples. The court simultaneously granted fresh permission to the CBI to collect voice samples from both accused.
Family counsel advocate Ankur Pandey said the CBI filed an application under Section 349 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) seeking the court's authorisation. He noted that during a previous hearing, Samarth Singh had initially indicated willingness but refused when CBI officials visited the jail. Giribala Singh had provided her voice sample once but declined to cooperate when additional samples were required.
The defence raised objections during the hearing, seeking access to case evidence and asking the court to clarify the context in which voice samples were being sought. After hearing both sides, the magistrate granted the CBI's application.
Post-Mortem Report Dispute
The court also took up an application filed by Twisha's family seeking a copy of the post-mortem report. AIIMS Bhopal informed the court that the report and related documents had already been submitted to the CBI in a sealed cover and could therefore not be provided separately to the family.
With the charge sheet still pending, the case's next critical juncture will likely be determined by what the CBI formally presents before the court.
Point of View
Muddying the evidentiary record before a charge sheet has even been filed. The refusal of both accused to cooperate with voice sample collection — despite initial consent — suggests a deliberate legal strategy of delay. With a former district judge among the accused, the case also raises uncomfortable questions about whether the legal fraternity's institutional familiarity with court processes is being leveraged to slow the CBI's hand.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Twisha Sharma's father say about the skin tissue report?
Navnidhi Sharma denied that any skin tissue was found on the gymnastics belt, calling the reports unverified and saying there is 'no official reflection' of such a finding. He questioned the source of the information and said the family's next steps depend on the CBI charge sheet.
Who are the accused in the Twisha Sharma case?
The accused are Giribala Singh, Twisha Sharma's mother-in-law and a former district judge, and her son Samarth Singh. Both are in judicial custody, which has been extended to 28 July 2025.
Why was the custody of the accused extended to 28 July?
The Bhopal district court extended their custody after the CBI informed the court that both Giribala Singh and Samarth Singh had not cooperated during the collection of voice samples. The court also granted fresh permission to the CBI to collect those samples.
What is the significance of the gymnastics belt in the case?
The gymnastics belt is the alleged ligature material in Twisha Sharma's death. Reports had claimed skin tissue was found on it and that it was not produced during the first post-mortem examination — claims her father has now publicly denied as having no official basis.
Why can't Twisha Sharma's family access the post-mortem report?
AIIMS Bhopal told the court that the post-mortem report and related documents had already been submitted to the CBI in a sealed cover. The court was informed these cannot be provided separately to the family as a result.
