Twisha Sharma death: Father moves SC, demands AIIMS Delhi second autopsy
Synopsis
A Bhopal dowry death case has escalated sharply — the victim's father is heading to the Supreme Court, alleging that the accused, a retired district court judge and her advocate son, are using institutional connections to obstruct a second post-mortem. With the husband absconding and the body still in the AIIMS Bhopal mortuary, the family's fight for an independent forensic review is the case's critical flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Twisha Sharma (33) was found dead at her in-laws' house in Katara Hills, Bhopal , on 12 May .
An FIR has been filed against husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh under dowry death and harassment provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita .
Giribala Singh is a retired Bhopal district court judge and current Head of the Bhopal Consumer Court ; Samarth Singh is an advocate and Bhopal Bar Council member.
Samarth Singh's interim bail plea was rejected by Justice Pallavi Dwivedi on Monday; he remains absconding.
The family is demanding a second post-mortem at AIIMS, Delhi , alleging local institutional influence, and plans to approach the Supreme Court .
Twisha's body remains in the AIIMS Bhopal mortuary pending a court order for the second examination.
Navnidhi Sharma, father of Twisha Sharma (33), whose death under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws' house in Bhopal's Katara Hills on the night of 12 May has triggered a legal and political storm, has announced plans to approach the Supreme Court, demanding a second post-mortem at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. The case has drawn intense scrutiny because the accused include a retired Bhopal district court judge and a practising advocate, raising concerns about undue influence over the investigation.
Background of the Case
Twisha Sharma was found dead at her in-laws' residence in Katara Hills, Bhopal, on 12 May. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against her husband, advocate Samarth Singh, and her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, under provisions relating to dowry death and dowry harassment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Giribala Singh, who retired as a judge of the Bhopal district court in February 2023, currently serves as Head of the Bhopal Consumer Court. Samarth Singh remains at large; his interim bail application was rejected by Justice Pallavi Dwivedi of the Bhopal district court on Monday.
Family's Allegations of Influence and Obstruction
Speaking after attending the bail hearing on Monday, Navnidhi Sharma alleged that the accused's connections to the establishment have hampered justice at every stage. “Our struggle is for justice, and the individuals against whom we are fighting are extremely powerful people,” he said.
He specifically alleged that Satyendra Singh, Head of the Bhopal Lokayukta Police, is a relative of Giribala Singh, and that this connection placed the police under pressure to shield the accused. He claimed this influence was why the family initially faced difficulty even registering the FIR. “Their associates hold high-ranking positions within medical colleges and the police force; working in concert, all these individuals are actively attempting to influence the case,” Navnidhi Sharma alleged.
The Demand for a Second Post-Mortem at AIIMS Delhi
The family's central demand is a re-examination of Twisha's body at AIIMS, Delhi, citing distrust of the local medical and investigative process. “We are simply demanding a second post-mortem, specifically at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, because there is significant influence at play here,” Navnidhi Sharma said.
He also disputed reports that the family had refused to accept the body. “It is false propaganda that the family has refused to accept the body. How could any father refuse to take his own daughter's mortal remains? It defies logic,” he said, clarifying that the family is awaiting a court order for the second post-mortem before receiving the remains. Twisha's body currently lies in the mortuary at AIIMS, Bhopal.
Navnidhi Sharma also raised questions about the Bhopal Commissioner's handling of the request, alleging that the Commissioner had initially granted permission for a second post-mortem but subsequently reversed the decision, insisting a judicial order was required. “My question is this: why did the Commissioner initially grant permission, only to later insist on a judicial order? This is precisely why I maintain that the powerful family involved is exerting influence over this case,” he said.
Failed Attempts to Meet Senior Officials
Navnidhi Sharma said the family's attempts to meet senior officials, including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, have been unsuccessful. “He did not have the time to meet with us. To meet him, there is no help whatsoever; one is completely helpless here,” he said. He added that he is seeking formal assurances regarding the preservation of his daughter's body while legal proceedings continue.
What Happens Next
With the accused husband absconding and the bail plea rejected, the case now hinges on whether a court will order the second post-mortem that the family is demanding. Navnidhi Sharma has confirmed the family intends to move the Supreme Court if relief is not forthcoming at the state level. The outcome of that petition is expected to determine whether an independent forensic examination outside Madhya Pradesh will be conducted.
Point of View
Legal, or police — the machinery meant to deliver accountability can become the first obstacle to it. The family's inability to register the FIR easily, the Commissioner's apparent U-turn on the second post-mortem, and the husband's continued evasion of arrest are individually explicable; together, they form a pattern that demands scrutiny. The Supreme Court petition, if filed, will test whether the higher judiciary can cut through local influence in a case where the accused's networks reportedly span the bench, the bar, and the police. Mainstream coverage has focused on the dramatic elements; the structural question — how institutional proximity shields the powerful from timely accountability — deserves equal attention.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Twisha Sharma and how did she die?
Twisha Sharma was a 33-year-old woman who was found dead at her in-laws' house in Katara Hills, Bhopal, on the night of 12 May. The circumstances have been described as suspicious, with the case registered as an alleged dowry death under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Who are the accused in the Twisha Sharma case?
The accused are Twisha's husband, advocate Samarth Singh, and her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, a retired Bhopal district court judge who currently heads the Bhopal Consumer Court. Samarth Singh is absconding; his interim bail was rejected on Monday.
Why is the family demanding a second post-mortem at AIIMS Delhi?
The family alleges that the accused have significant influence over local medical and investigative institutions, making a fair examination in Bhopal impossible. They are specifically requesting AIIMS Delhi — outside Madhya Pradesh — to ensure an independent forensic review.
Why has the family not yet received Twisha's body?
Navnidhi Sharma clarified that the family is waiting for a court order authorising a second post-mortem at AIIMS Delhi before accepting the body. He denied reports that the family refused to receive the remains, calling such claims 'false propaganda.' The body currently lies in the AIIMS Bhopal mortuary.
What is the family's next legal step?
Navnidhi Sharma has announced that the family intends to approach the Supreme Court, seeking both an order for a second post-mortem at AIIMS Delhi and assurances regarding the preservation of Twisha's body. The move comes after failed attempts to meet Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and senior officials.
