In brief
After the 33‑year‑old model, Twisha Sharma, was found dead in her Bhopal home five months post‑marriage, India’s federal police charged her husband, Samarth Singh, and mother‑in‑law, retired judge Giribala Singh, with abetment to suicide and cruelty. The Central Bureau of Investigation alleges that both accused subjected Twisha to continuous mental cruelty, forced her to abort an early pregnancy, and pushed her to kill herself. Though both defendants deny the charges, they remain incarcerated while the investigation’s 600‑page charge sheet claims the death was a forced suicide. The case has triggered intense media scrutiny, questioning the conduct of senior jurists and raising concerns over dowry harassment and domestic violence. The CBI has asked the court for permission to continue investigations, hinting that further evidence could result in a supplemental charge sheet.
⚠️ Warning: This article contains details some readers may find distressing.
India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formally charged Twisha Sharma’s husband, lawyer Samarth Singh, and his mother, retired judge Giribala Singh, with abetment to suicide and cruelty.
Twisha, a 33‑year‑old model and actor, was found dead in her matrimonial home in Bhopal on 12 May, only five months after marrying Singh. The chargesheet alleges the accused subjected her to relentless mental abuse, used derogatory language and forced her into a pregnancy termination.
Survivors of the situation claim that Singh and his mother pressured Twisha into having an abortion, and that she was held accountable for a fetus they claimed was not theirs. Both defendants have rejected all accusations, claiming that Twisha’s death was a voluntary act and that her mental health issues led to self‑harm.
The 600‑page CBI charge sheet submits that continual mental cruelty left Twisha with no other option but to end her life. While the case has dominated headlines, tensions run high as the authorities seek court permission for further probing, indicating that the investigation may extend beyond the initial accused.
In response to the tragic incident, Twisha’s father denounced the public remarks made by Giribala Singh during a press briefing, wherein the former judge publicly questioned Twisha’s mental health and described her openly. One week after the death, Giribala addressed the press, describing Twisha’s mental health as “baseless” and labeling the allegations a dish of stereotypes.
