The death of Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old actor-turned-corporate professional, at her matrimonial home in Bhopal's Katara Hills on the night of 12 May 2025 has escalated into a full-blown legal and political crisis, with allegations of dowry harassment, judicial influence, and evidence tampering piling up even as her husband remains a fugitive. A local court's refusal to grant him anticipatory bail has sharpened calls for a Supreme Court-monitored probe.

Court Rejects Bail, Cites Unnatural Death

Additional Sessions Judge Pallavi Dwivedi on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Samarth Singh, Twisha's husband and a practising advocate, ruling that her death had occurred within six months of marriage under 'unnatural circumstances' and that the accusations against him were grave. The court noted that witness statements, the FIR, and WhatsApp chats placed on record during proceedings pointed primarily towards Samarth. The judge held that granting anticipatory bail 'would not be appropriate' given the stage of investigation and the gravity of the charges.

An FIR has been registered against Samarth Singh and his mother, retired judge Giribala Singh — who currently heads the Bhopal Consumer Court — under provisions related to dowry death, dowry harassment, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Dowry Prohibition Act. Giribala Singh had earlier secured anticipatory bail.

Husband on the Run, Police Announce Reward

Samarth Singh has been absconding since the night of the incident, according to Bhopal Police. His mobile phones are reportedly switched off, and multiple police teams have been deployed to trace him. Authorities have announced a reward of ₹10,000 for information leading to his arrest. A six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by ACP Rajnish Kashyap has been constituted to investigate allegations of dowry harassment, assault, and destruction of evidence.

Family Alleges Institutional Cover-Up

The case has drawn national attention partly because of the accused family's position within the establishment. Twisha's father, Navnidhi Sharma, has alleged that the investigation is being compromised due to the family's connections within the judiciary, police, and medical administration. He claimed that senior officials attempted to shield the accused and that his family faced difficulty even in getting the FIR registered.

Sharma has since approached the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, urging intervention and demanding that Giribala Singh be removed or suspended from her quasi-judicial role pending the investigation. The petition invoked Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, arguing that her continued position could indirectly influence investigators, witnesses, and forensic procedures.

Disputed Circumstances of Death

The defence version, as presented in court, states that Twisha visited a beauty parlour and went for a walk on 12 May before returning home, and was subsequently found hanging from an iron rod on the terrace using an exercise resistance band. The family claimed revival attempts were made before she was taken to AIIMS Bhopal.

Twisha's family has strongly disputed this account. They allege she endured sustained mental and physical harassment over dowry demands and was pressured into terminating her pregnancy. Court records include allegations that the accused questioned the paternity of her unborn child and repeatedly assaulted her. Twisha, a Noida resident who had worked as an actor and model before joining a private company in Delhi, had married Samarth Singh on 9 December 2025 — barely six months before her death.

WhatsApp Messages and Post-Mortem Dispute

The prosecution cited WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by Twisha to her mother days before her death. A message dated 9 May purportedly read, 'Maa aap mujhe yaha se lene aa jao kal please,' while another described her life as 'narak' and stated that her husband had stopped speaking to her. The defence has denied these allegations, arguing the messages were edited and unreliable.

Further controversy surrounds the post-mortem examination. While the preliminary report cited death due to antemortem hanging, it also reportedly noted multiple blunt force injuries on Twisha's body. Her family has refused to accept the body and is demanding a second autopsy at AIIMS Delhi, alleging that local authorities cannot ensure an impartial examination. The case is now being watched closely as a test of institutional accountability in crimes involving influential accused.