CBI arrests Twisha Sharma's mother-in-law after court cancels anticipatory bail
The arrest came just hours after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled the anticipatory bail granted to Twisha Sharma's mother-in-law Giribala Singh.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma, the 33-year-old woman found dead at her marital home in Bhopal on May 12.
The arrest came hours after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled the anticipatory bail earlier granted to the retired district court judge in connection with the case. The CBI is expected to produce her before a court on Friday.
Before the arrest, a three-member CBI team reached Singh’s residence around 10:30 am and questioned her as part of the ongoing probe. Sources said the agency also carried out digital mapping of the premises during the visit.
The CBI has widened its investigation since taking over the case earlier this week. The agency is planning to set up a camp office in Bhopal and has written to the city Police Commissioner seeking office space and a secure facility to store case-related documents and evidence.
HC CANCELS ANTICIPATORY BAIL
Earlier in the day, the Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed the anticipatory bail granted to Singh, citing the factual circumstances of the case and the allegations levelled against her.
A sessions court had on May 15 granted anticipatory bail to Singh, who, along with her son Samarth Singh, is accused of dowry harassment.
In its 17-page order, Justice Devnarayan Mishra observed that “in the light of the factual aspects of the case and the allegations levelled against the respondent”, the earlier bail order passed by the additional sessions judge could not be sustained and was therefore set aside.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, argued that the manner in which anticipatory bail was granted raised concerns that key aspects of the case may not have been properly considered by the trial court.
Following the High Court order, advocate Anurag Shrivastava, representing Twisha’s family, said, “Finally, justice has been done.”
ALLEGATIONS OF EVIDENCE TAMPERING
According to Twisha’s counsel, the in-laws allegedly harassed her continuously and “did not allow her to grieve”.
The prosecution told the High Court that after securing anticipatory bail, Singh addressed a press conference on May 18 and attempted to tarnish the deceased’s image through several public claims.
Investigators further alleged that Singh misused her position and tampered with the crime scene. The prosecution argued that her judicial background and training in crime scene procedures raised apprehensions about possible interference with evidence.
Police had seized CCTV footage from the residence on May 13. However, the prosecution alleged that Singh retained portions of the footage and circulated a selective clip on social media, which, according to the CBI, indicated an attempt to tamper with evidence.
LEFT NO STONE UNTURNED TO MALIGN TWISHA
The CBI told the High Court that custodial interrogation of the mother-in-law was necessary and alleged that she had “left no stone unturned” to malign Twisha Sharma’s character.
Opposing anticipatory bail, the agency cited allegations of dowry harassment, forced termination of pregnancy and destruction of evidence. Investigators also said the in-laws had failed to explain injuries found on Twisha’s body.
According to the CBI, Twisha had injuries to her wrist and elbow, but no satisfactory explanation had been provided regarding how she suffered them.
The agency further submitted that WhatsApp chats recovered during the investigation suggested that the mother-son duo had questioned Twisha’s character after she became pregnant. According to the prosecution, she was later allegedly forced to undergo an abortion after doubts were raised over the child’s paternity.
Meanwhile, the state government accused Singh of repeatedly interacting with the media in an attempt to shape public perception while allegedly avoiding summons for questioning.
“She had time to speak to the media, but not to cooperate with the investigation,” the government told the court.
SAMARTH SINGH IN CBI CUSOTDY
On Wednesday, a court in Bhopal remanded Twisha Sharma’s husband, Samarth Singh, to CBI custody. Following the order, a CBI team took him to his mother’s residence in the Katara Hills area as part of further investigation.
The CBI formally took over the case on Monday and re-registered the FIR initially filed by Madhya Pradesh Police, naming both Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh as accused.
While Twisha’s family has alleged domestic violence, mental harassment, physical abuse and murder, the accused have denied all allegations.
The agency is expected to continue questioning the mother-son duo as investigators examine allegations of dowry harassment, evidence tampering and a possible larger conspiracy behind Twisha Sharma’s death.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma, the 33-year-old woman found dead at her marital home in Bhopal on May 12.
The arrest came hours after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled the anticipatory bail earlier granted to the retired district court judge in connection with the case. The CBI is expected to produce her before a court on Friday.
Before the arrest, a three-member CBI team reached Singh’s residence around 10:30 am and questioned her as part of the ongoing probe. Sources said the agency also carried out digital mapping of the premises during the visit.
The CBI has widened its investigation since taking over the case earlier this week. The agency is planning to set up a camp office in Bhopal and has written to the city Police Commissioner seeking office space and a secure facility to store case-related documents and evidence.
HC CANCELS ANTICIPATORY BAIL
Earlier in the day, the Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed the anticipatory bail granted to Singh, citing the factual circumstances of the case and the allegations levelled against her.
A sessions court had on May 15 granted anticipatory bail to Singh, who, along with her son Samarth Singh, is accused of dowry harassment.
In its 17-page order, Justice Devnarayan Mishra observed that “in the light of the factual aspects of the case and the allegations levelled against the respondent”, the earlier bail order passed by the additional sessions judge could not be sustained and was therefore set aside.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, argued that the manner in which anticipatory bail was granted raised concerns that key aspects of the case may not have been properly considered by the trial court.
Following the High Court order, advocate Anurag Shrivastava, representing Twisha’s family, said, “Finally, justice has been done.”
ALLEGATIONS OF EVIDENCE TAMPERING
According to Twisha’s counsel, the in-laws allegedly harassed her continuously and “did not allow her to grieve”.
The prosecution told the High Court that after securing anticipatory bail, Singh addressed a press conference on May 18 and attempted to tarnish the deceased’s image through several public claims.
Investigators further alleged that Singh misused her position and tampered with the crime scene. The prosecution argued that her judicial background and training in crime scene procedures raised apprehensions about possible interference with evidence.
Police had seized CCTV footage from the residence on May 13. However, the prosecution alleged that Singh retained portions of the footage and circulated a selective clip on social media, which, according to the CBI, indicated an attempt to tamper with evidence.
LEFT NO STONE UNTURNED TO MALIGN TWISHA
The CBI told the High Court that custodial interrogation of the mother-in-law was necessary and alleged that she had “left no stone unturned” to malign Twisha Sharma’s character.
Opposing anticipatory bail, the agency cited allegations of dowry harassment, forced termination of pregnancy and destruction of evidence. Investigators also said the in-laws had failed to explain injuries found on Twisha’s body.
According to the CBI, Twisha had injuries to her wrist and elbow, but no satisfactory explanation had been provided regarding how she suffered them.
The agency further submitted that WhatsApp chats recovered during the investigation suggested that the mother-son duo had questioned Twisha’s character after she became pregnant. According to the prosecution, she was later allegedly forced to undergo an abortion after doubts were raised over the child’s paternity.
Meanwhile, the state government accused Singh of repeatedly interacting with the media in an attempt to shape public perception while allegedly avoiding summons for questioning.
“She had time to speak to the media, but not to cooperate with the investigation,” the government told the court.
SAMARTH SINGH IN CBI CUSOTDY
On Wednesday, a court in Bhopal remanded Twisha Sharma’s husband, Samarth Singh, to CBI custody. Following the order, a CBI team took him to his mother’s residence in the Katara Hills area as part of further investigation.
The CBI formally took over the case on Monday and re-registered the FIR initially filed by Madhya Pradesh Police, naming both Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh as accused.
While Twisha’s family has alleged domestic violence, mental harassment, physical abuse and murder, the accused have denied all allegations.
The agency is expected to continue questioning the mother-son duo as investigators examine allegations of dowry harassment, evidence tampering and a possible larger conspiracy behind Twisha Sharma’s death.
