Twisha Sharma case: Father files MP HC complaint against legal aid lawyers
Synopsis
Twisha Sharma's father has taken the fight beyond the CBI probe — filing a complaint in the MP High Court alleging that legal aid lawyers meant to serve the poor were instead appearing to shield the accused. With a key remand hearing on 16 June and no CBI remand sought in ten days, the case is entering a critical phase on multiple fronts.
Key Takeaways
Navnidhi Sharma , father of actress Twisha Sharma , filed a complaint on 12 June with the Madhya Pradesh High Court and MP State Legal Services Authority .
The complaint alleges lawyers under the Legal Aid Defence Counsel scheme appeared to favour the accused, with appointments made during Giribala Singh's tenure as District and Sessions Judge.
A photograph allegedly shows assistant advocate Shreyas Saxena dancing at accused Samarth Singh's wedding; he was also reportedly present at the 15 May anticipatory bail hearing.
Reena Verma , Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, is also named in the complaint.
The CBI has not sought remand in the 10 days since Giribala Singh and Samarth Singh were jailed on 2 June ; their judicial remand ends 16 June .
Navnidhi Sharma, father of deceased actress Twisha Sharma, has filed a formal complaint before the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, demanding an independent inquiry into the conduct of lawyers associated with the Legal Aid Defence Counsel scheme in connection with his daughter's death case. The complaint, filed on 12 June, is addressed to Chief Justice Vivek Rusia of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
What the Complaint Alleges
The complaint contends that certain lawyers appointed under the legal aid framework — designed to assist the economically disadvantaged — allegedly appeared to favour the accused rather than serve the system's intended purpose. Navnidhi Sharma's submission specifically highlights that these appointments were made during the tenure of Giribala Singh as District and Sessions Judge in Bhopal.
A photograph submitted alongside the complaint purportedly shows Shreyas Saxena, an assistant advocate under the Legal Aid Defence Counsel scheme, dancing at the wedding of Samarth Singh — the son of the former judge and a key accused in the case. The complaint further alleges that Saxena was present in court alongside the accused's private counsel during an anticipatory bail hearing on 15 May.
Key Individuals Named
Apart from Saxena, the complaint also names Reena Verma, identified as Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, raising questions about oversight within the scheme. Sharma has questioned why legal aid lawyers took an active role in proceedings when the accused already had private legal representation — a dual-representation arrangement that the complaint describes as irregular.
Additionally, the complaint seeks the identification of an unspecified individual reportedly seen both at the beauty parlour connected to the case and later at the wedding ceremony, demanding clarity on that person's role in the sequence of events.
Family's Legal Position
Advocate Ankur Pandey, representing the Sharma family in court, confirmed that the matter has been placed before the relevant authorities. 'We have forwarded the complaint to the concerned authorities and are awaiting action on the matter,' Pandey said on Friday. The complaint formally seeks scrutiny of legal representation during the anticipatory bail hearing and an examination of alleged links between the legal aid lawyers and the accused.
CBI Probe and Custody Status
The complaint comes as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues its probe into Twisha Sharma's death. Former District and Sessions Judge Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh are currently lodged in Bhopal Central Jail, with their judicial remand set to expire on 16 June. The CBI is expected to produce both accused before the court on that date, when it will decide whether to seek an extension of judicial custody or request police remand for further questioning.
Notably, despite the CBI having earlier indicated it would seek remand as needed, no remand application has been filed in the ten days since the two were jailed on 2 June — a detail that observers say raises questions about the pace of the investigation. The agency's next move on 16 June is being closely watched.
Point of View
It would point to a structural conflict of interest within Madhya Pradesh's legal aid framework — not merely individual misconduct. Meanwhile, the CBI's ten-day silence on remand, despite its earlier assurances to the court, is a detail that deserves scrutiny. High-profile custodial cases rarely move this slowly unless there are evidentiary or strategic reasons. The 16 June hearing will be a significant test of whether the probe is advancing with the urgency the case demands.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Twisha Sharma's father alleged in his MP High Court complaint?
Navnidhi Sharma has alleged that lawyers appointed under the Legal Aid Defence Counsel scheme appeared to favour the accused in his daughter's death case. The complaint specifically names assistant advocate Shreyas Saxena, who was allegedly photographed at accused Samarth Singh's wedding and was reportedly present at the 15 May anticipatory bail hearing alongside the accused's private counsel.
Who are the accused in the Twisha Sharma death case?
Former District and Sessions Judge Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh are the key accused currently in custody. Both were lodged in Bhopal Central Jail on 2 June and their judicial remand is set to end on 16 June 2025.
What is the current status of the CBI investigation?
The CBI probe into Twisha Sharma's death is ongoing. Despite indicating earlier that it would seek remand as needed, the agency has not filed any remand application in the ten days since the accused were jailed. The next court date is 16 June, when the CBI must decide on seeking extended custody or police remand.
What is the Legal Aid Defence Counsel scheme and why is it under scrutiny?
The Legal Aid Defence Counsel scheme provides government-appointed lawyers to assist economically disadvantaged accused persons. It is under scrutiny in this case because the complaint alleges that lawyers appointed under the scheme appeared to act in the interests of the accused — who already had private legal representation — raising questions about conflict of interest and oversight.
Who is representing the Sharma family in court?
Advocate Ankur Pandey is representing Twisha Sharma's family. He confirmed that the complaint has been forwarded to the concerned authorities and that the family is awaiting action.
