Twisha Sharma case: MP Governor urged to remove mother-in-law from Consumer Forum
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The father of deceased Twisha Sharma on Wednesday, 20 May wrote to Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, formally requesting the removal of Twisha's mother-in-law Giribala Singh from the State Consumer Forum for the duration of the ongoing criminal investigation into his daughter's death in Bhopal. The letter, submitted by Navnidhi Sharma, argues that an accused individual exercising quasi-judicial authority risks eroding public confidence in institutional fairness.
Background: What Happened to Twisha Sharma
Twisha Sharma allegedly died by suicide at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on 12 May. Following her death, police registered an FIR naming Giribala Singh — a former Bhopal District Court judge currently serving as Chairman of the Bhopal Consumer Court — as a co-accused, along with her son Samarth Singh, who is Twisha's husband. The medico-legal findings recorded in the FIR reportedly noted antemortem hanging and multiple blunt-force injuries, details that Navnidhi Sharma cited as raising serious concerns about the sequence of events preceding his daughter's death.
What the Family Has Sought
In his representation to the Governor, Navnidhi Sharma contended that Giribala Singh's continued exercise of adjudicatory functions during a pending criminal probe could create a reasonable apprehension among litigants, witnesses, and affected parties about the independence of justice-related processes. He stressed that the request was not directed at any institution but was aimed at preserving transparency and investigative independence.
'Where an individual facing serious criminal allegations continues to occupy or exercise adjudicatory authority, a reasonable apprehension may arise in the minds of litigants, witnesses and affected persons regarding fairness and independence of processes connected with administration of justice,' Navnidhi Sharma said in the letter.
The Institutional Concern
The family's submission underscores a broader principle: that those facing serious criminal allegations should, as a matter of constitutional fairness, step aside from quasi-judicial roles until investigations conclude. Navnidhi Sharma noted that Giribala Singh's prior service within the judicial framework makes her current position at the Consumer Forum particularly sensitive. He argued that recusal during the probe would prevent any perception of influence over medico-legal or investigative processes.
'The present representation is being submitted solely in the larger interest of constitutional fairness, investigative independence and preservation of public confidence in administration of justice,' he stated.
What Happens Next
The Governor's office has not issued a public response to the letter as of Wednesday. The criminal investigation into Twisha Sharma's death remains ongoing, with both Giribala Singh and Samarth Singh named as co-accused in the FIR. Whether the Governor acts on the request for Giribala Singh's removal or suspension from the Consumer Forum is expected to be a key development to watch in the coming days.