Bhopal theft at Giribala Singh's residence: No arrest after 5 days, 200 CCTVs scanned
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Five days after an alleged burglary at the Bagmugaliya Extension residence of retired judge Giribala Singh in Bhopal, police are yet to make a breakthrough despite scanning footage from 150 to 200 CCTV cameras, questioning around 10 suspects, and collecting fingerprints from nearly a dozen individuals. The theft, which reportedly took place on 28 June, has added another layer of complexity to an already high-profile case involving the alleged dowry death of Twisha Sharma.
What the Investigation Has Found So Far
Katara Hills SHO Sunil Dubey confirmed that investigators have pursued multiple leads but none has yielded conclusive evidence. 'We have examined footage from nearly 150 to 200 CCTV cameras installed in and around the area to trace the suspects. Besides this, around 10 suspected persons have been questioned during the investigation. We have also collected fingerprints of nearly a dozen individuals and matched them, but no concrete evidence has emerged so far. The investigation is continuing, and all possible angles are being examined,' Dubey said.
Police sources indicated that CCTV footage from inside the house allegedly shows several masked men entering the first-floor portion of the residence during the early hours of 28 June. The footage reportedly shows the intruders moving through rooms with torchlights, searching bedside drawers, cupboards, almirahs, and the area around the bed before leaving.
How the Burglars Allegedly Operated
According to police, the intruders are believed to have entered through the rear side of the house, while accomplices reportedly stood guard outside. A police patrol vehicle reportedly spotted three suspected burglars near the property at around 5 am on the day of the incident. Two of them fled immediately; the third also escaped, but not before police recovered a bag allegedly containing an old licensed revolver along with some silver ornaments and other valuables.
Investigators suspect that other members of the group managed to flee before the patrol arrived and may have taken away a substantial portion of the valuables, including gold jewellery and brass items. As of now, police have only confirmed that some gold and silver jewellery is reportedly missing; the exact quantity and value are yet to be determined.
Why Giribala Singh's Statement Is Critical
Both Giribala Singh and her son, advocate Samarth Singh, are currently lodged in Bhopal Central Jail in connection with the alleged dowry death case of Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old former model and actor who was found hanging at the family's residence on 12 May — barely five months after her marriage to Samarth Singh. With the primary complainant in judicial custody, police have sought court permission to record her statement.
'We have sought permission from the court to record Giribala Singh's statement in connection with the theft case. Since she is in judicial custody, her statement is necessary to ascertain the exact details of the stolen articles and move the investigation forward,' Dubey said.
The Broader Context: CBI Probe Into Twisha Sharma's Death
The burglary occurred against the backdrop of an ongoing CBI investigation into the death of Twisha Sharma. The case has drawn significant public attention, and the theft at the very residence where Sharma lived has raised questions that investigators are now working to answer. Notably, the first-floor portion that was allegedly burgled includes Giribala Singh's bedroom and the room previously occupied by Samarth Singh and Twisha Sharma — a detail that investigators have not publicly commented on.
What Happens Next
The probe is expected to advance once the court grants permission for Giribala Singh's statement to be recorded, which would allow police to prepare a detailed inventory of missing valuables. Until then, investigators say all possible angles remain under examination. The case is being watched closely given its intersection with the high-profile dowry death proceedings and the active CBI inquiry.