Bhopal dowry death: Retired district judge, son booked after woman's suicide
Synopsis
A retired Bhopal district judge and her advocate son have been booked for dowry death after the groom's 34-year-old wife was found hanging just six months into their marriage. The family alleges murder and evidence tampering — and says police acted only after sustained public protests, raising uncomfortable questions about whether the accused's judicial background delayed the FIR.
Key Takeaways
Twisha Sharma , 34 , was found hanging at her Bag Mugalia Extension home in Bhopal on Tuesday night and was pronounced dead at AIIMS Hospital .
An FIR was lodged at Katara Hills Police Station against Giribala Singh (retired district judge) and her son Samarth Singh (advocate) under dowry death and related charges.
Twisha had married Samarth Singh on 12 December 2025 — just six months before her death — after meeting on a dating app.
Her family alleges murder and evidence destruction , claiming the suicide was staged; brother Harshit Sharma , an Army officer, accused police of inaction due to the accused's 'influence and clout.' Both accused remain at large as of Friday; police say raids are ongoing.
A 34-year-old woman's death in Bhopal has led to the booking of her husband and mother-in-law — a retired district judge — under dowry death and related charges, police confirmed on Friday, 16 May 2025. The case has drawn sharp public attention given the accused's legal standing and the family's allegations of evidence tampering.
The FIR and Accused
Assistant Police Commissioner Rajneesh Kashyap Kaul confirmed that an FIR was lodged at Katara Hills Police Station late Thursday against Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh. The case has been registered under sections including dowry death and harassment for dowry.
Giribala Singh retired as Bhopal district judge in February 2023. Her son Samarth Singh is an advocate currently practising at the District Court. As of Friday, both remain at large, with police teams conducting raids at their residence and other potential hideouts.
How Twisha Sharma Died
Twisha Sharma, originally from Noida, was found hanging from a pipe on the terrace of her Bag Mugalia Extension home in Laharpur on Tuesday night. Her husband rushed her to AIIMS Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.
Twisha had married Samarth Singh just six months ago, on 12 December 2025, after the couple met on a dating app. She was an MBA graduate who had worked at a company in Delhi for several years.
Family Alleges Murder, Demands Arrest
Twisha's family has rejected the suicide narrative, alleging murder and deliberate destruction of evidence. They claim Samarth Singh and his mother fabricated the suicide to mislead investigators — an allegation police are examining as part of the ongoing probe.
Family members and relatives have staged a sit-in protest outside Katara Hills Police Station for two consecutive days. On Thursday, demonstrators gathered at the Women's Police Station with placards and also created a commotion at the Commissioner's office, demanding immediate arrests.
Twisha's brother, Harshit Sharma, an Army officer, alleged: 'The police are refraining from taking action due to the duo's influence and clout.'
Significance of the Accused's Background
The involvement of a retired judicial officer as an accused in a dowry death case is rare and has amplified public scrutiny. Critics argue that the delay in registering the FIR — which came only after sustained protests — raises questions about institutional accountability when the accused hold social or professional clout. This is not the first time in Madhya Pradesh that families have alleged police inaction in dowry cases involving influential individuals.
What Happens Next
Police have said raids are ongoing and arrests are expected. The family is likely to push for a CBI or judicial probe given the accused's background in the judiciary. The case will test whether the legal system can move swiftly and impartially when one of its own former members stands accused.
Point of View
But the delay in registering the case will invite legitimate scrutiny of whether the system protects its own. Madhya Pradesh's record on dowry prosecutions involving influential families is uneven at best; the speed of arrests in the coming days will be the clearest signal of whether that pattern holds here.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been booked in the Bhopal dowry death case?
Retired Bhopal district judge Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh, an advocate, have been booked under dowry death and harassment for dowry charges. The FIR was registered at Katara Hills Police Station on the night of 15 May 2025.
How did Twisha Sharma die?
Twisha Sharma, 34, was found hanging from a pipe on the terrace of her home in Bag Mugalia Extension, Laharpur, Bhopal, on Tuesday night. She was taken to AIIMS Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her family alleges murder and evidence tampering, disputing the suicide finding.
When did Twisha Sharma marry Samarth Singh?
Twisha married Samarth Singh on 12 December 2025, just six months before her death. The couple had met on a dating app. Twisha was an MBA graduate who had previously worked at a company in Delhi.
Why has the case drawn public attention?
The case has attracted attention because one of the accused, Giribala Singh, is a retired district judge — a rare instance of a former judicial officer being booked in a dowry death case. Family members also allege that police delayed action due to the accused's influence, a charge the family has made publicly through protests.
Have the accused been arrested?
As of Friday, 16 May 2025, neither Giribala Singh nor Samarth Singh has been arrested. Police say raids are being conducted at their residence and other potential hideouts.
