Twisha Sharma death: Body at AIIMS Bhopal 8 days on, husband absconding
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Eight days after 31-year-old former model Twisha Sharma was found dead at her in-laws' residence in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, her mortal remains continue to lie at AIIMS Bhopal as her family refuses to claim the body, citing alleged lapses in the post-mortem and demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Her husband, advocate Samarth Singh, remains absconding, with police having issued a lookout notice and initiated proceedings to revoke his passport.
Family's Demands and Allegations
Twisha's father, Navnidhi Sharma, issued a detailed public statement on Tuesday, 20 May, alleging that the in-laws' family wields significant influence over the investigation machinery. He claimed his family has been subjected to 'continuous public attacks and narratives' since his daughter's death.
'From the very first day, our family has consistently expressed apprehension before authorities that the accused persons connected with the Giribala Singh's family are highly influential and capable of exerting pressure upon the system, public opinion, and investigation machinery,' Navnidhi Sharma said in his statement.
The family has also demanded a second post-mortem at AIIMS Delhi and an investigation by an independent agency outside Madhya Pradesh, citing what they describe as procedural lapses in the initial autopsy.
Mother-in-Law Levels Counter-Allegations
On the other side, Giribala Singh — Twisha's mother-in-law and a retired judge — addressed the media at her residence on Tuesday, levelling fresh allegations against her deceased daughter-in-law. She claimed the post-mortem report was 'prepared solely to create sensationalism.'
Giribala also questioned Twisha's lifestyle, alleging that she 'frequently went out without informing the family where she was headed.' She added that Twisha 'was nice to me on my face, but would instantly deny doing basic household chores.'
Notably, Giribala's advocate had earlier told a district court on Monday that the family has no objection to a second post-mortem or an investigation by any agency.
Police Action and Investigation Status
Bhopal Police have described the death as an alleged suicide and say they have intensified the search for Samarth Singh. A lookout notice has been issued against him, and authorities have begun proceedings to get his passport revoked. Twisha was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on 12 May 2025, barely five months after her marriage to Samarth Singh.
Why the Body Remains Unclaimed
The standoff over last rites is directly linked to the family's distrust of the initial post-mortem process. Twisha's family has refused to accept the body until their demands — a CBI inquiry and a second autopsy at AIIMS Delhi — are addressed. This is the eighth consecutive day the remains have been held at AIIMS Bhopal, an unusual situation that underscores the depth of the dispute between the two families.
This comes amid growing public scrutiny of the case, amplified by Twisha's background as a former model and the involvement of a retired judge's family. With Samarth Singh still at large and the two families trading allegations before cameras, the investigation's independence faces mounting questions. How authorities respond to demands for a CBI probe will likely determine whether the impasse over the body — and the broader case — can be resolved.