Anticipatory Bail Revoked for Giribala Singh
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has annulled the anticipatory bail granted to Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of the deceased Twisha Sharma, amid allegations of dowry harassment. The decision was made by Justice Devnarayan Mishra after a thorough review of the case details, with the revocation order being released late Wednesday night.
The initial bail was approved on May 15, 2026, by the 10th Additional Sessions Judge, Bhopal, under Crime No.133/2026, which was later re-registered in New Delhi. The charges include violations under Sections 80(2), 85, and 3(5) of the BNS, 2023, as well as Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The High Court’s order highlighted the serious allegations against Giribala Singh, which were substantiated by statements from Twisha’s family and WhatsApp messages sent prior to her death.
Key Findings in the Case
The post-mortem report played a crucial role in the court’s decision, revealing additional injuries on Twisha Sharma’s body that were inconsistent with being caused by removing her from the ligature or transporting her to the hospital. The report indicated antemortem injuries on Twisha’s arm, finger, and head, suggesting a violent altercation before her death.
Twisha Sharma, originally from Noida, had married Samarth Singh, a lawyer from Bhopal, just five months before her untimely demise. Her family accused her in-laws of persistent domestic abuse, leading to her death on May 12, 2026. An FIR was registered by the Katara Hills police station, initiating a comprehensive investigation.
Legal Proceedings and Arguments
Giribala Singh, a retired judge and president of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, was initially granted anticipatory bail due to the trial court’s focus on allegations against Samarth Singh. However, Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, alongside the State of Madhya Pradesh, contested this decision. Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing the family, argued that the parents were excluded from the inquest due to lack of notification about Twisha’s death.
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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported the appeal, criticizing the haste with which the sessions court granted bail without fully assessing the evidence. Both Luthra and Mehta condemned Giribala Singh’s public statements, which they claimed were attempts to tarnish Twisha’s reputation.
Advocate General Prashant Singh emphasized the significance of the post-mortem findings, while Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan defended Giribala Singh, citing her age and lack of direct allegations necessitating custody. Despite these defenses, the court found sufficient grounds to revoke her bail.
Further Developments
Samarth Singh, Twisha’s husband, also sought protection from arrest but retracted his plea after the High Court’s direction to either surrender or approach the trial court. Additionally, the High Court has authorized a second post-mortem by a team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, to further investigate the cause of death.
