In a significant development in the Twisha Sharma dowry death case, a Bhopal court on June 2 placed former judge Giribala Singh in judicial custody for a period of 14 days. This decision follows her arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alongside her son, Samarth Singh, last month. Both were initially held in CBI custody until June 2.
During today’s court proceedings, the CBI chose not to request an extension of Singh’s custody. Consequently, Judge Shobhana Bhalawe ordered her to be remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
Twisha Sharma, originally from Noida, married Samarth Singh, a legal practitioner based in Bhopal, after they met through an online dating platform. Tragically, she was discovered deceased at her Bhopal residence on May 12. Sharma’s family has accused her in-laws of contributing to her death, alleging ongoing domestic abuse and harassment linked to dowry demands. The Katara Hills police registered a First Information Report (FIR) to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
Giribala Singh, who is currently the president of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Madhya Pradesh, was granted anticipatory bail by a sessions court on May 15. The court’s decision was based on the rationale that the primary allegations were directed towards Samarth Singh, Twisha’s husband. However, this bail was revoked by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 28, further complicating the legal proceedings.
In a related matter, Samarth Singh sought protection from arrest through the High Court after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Sessions Court. Nevertheless, he decided to withdraw his bail application on May 22, following the High Court’s advice to either surrender to the investigating officer or appear before the trial court.
