CBI Arrests Retired Judge in Dowry Death Case of Actor Twisha Sharma, Deepens Murder vs Suicide Controversy

Twisha Sharma, aged 33 and a former beauty pageant winner and actor, was found dead at her matrimonial residence just five months after her marriage to lawyer Samarth Singh. Her family, including her parents and siblings, has accused her husband and mother-in-law of subjecting her to sustained harassment over dowry demands and alleges that she was murdered. Both accused have denied the allegations.

Following several hours of questioning, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Giribala Singh on Thursday. The arrest came after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled her anticipatory bail, observing that a lower trial court had disregarded crucial evidence and witness testimony in the case.

Initially, local police registered a case of dowry death against Samarth Singh and his family. Earlier this week, the investigation was formally transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation, marking a major escalation in the probe.

The case has also intensified public scrutiny due to the professional prominence of those involved. Twisha Sharma was known for her work as a model and actor, while her husband Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh are both legal professionals.

According to allegations made by Twisha Sharma’s family, harassment related to dowry began shortly after her marriage. They further claim that when she became pregnant, she was subjected to accusations of infidelity and forced to terminate the pregnancy. These allegations have been strongly denied by the Singh family, who maintain that Twisha Sharma suffered from mental health issues and died by suicide. They also assert that the decision to terminate the pregnancy was made voluntarily by her.

Samarth Singh, who had reportedly absconded following Twisha Sharma’s death, was arrested by police in Jabalpur on 22 May and is currently in custody.

Twisha Sharma’s body was cremated on Sunday after a second post-mortem examination. Her family had earlier alleged that the initial autopsy was flawed and raised concerns of a possible cover-up, which police authorities have denied.

The case has once again placed the issue of dowry-related deaths under intense national scrutiny, highlighting persistent legal and social challenges surrounding allegations of domestic violence, marital abuse, and custodial investigations in India.