The Madhya Pradesh government has proposed transferring the investigation into the death of 33-year-old model-turned-actor Twisha Sharma to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following mounting public outrage and allegations of dowry harassment against her husband, advocate Samarth Singh, and mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh.
Twisha was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12, after which police registered an FIR under sections related to dowry death and cruelty under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Dowry Prohibition Act.
While Twisha’s family has accused her in-laws of sustained emotional abuse, dowry demands and influencing the investigation, the accused family has denied the allegations and claimed she struggled with mental health and substance abuse.
The controversy deepened after AIIMS Bhopal termed the death a suicide by hanging, prompting Twisha’s family to seek a second post-mortem in the Madhya Pradesh High Court after a lower court rejected their plea.
Meanwhile, police have announced a ₹30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Samarth Singh, who remains absconding, and have initiated proceedings to revoke his passport.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav reportedly assured Twisha’s parents that the government would recommend a CBI inquiry, while Home Department Secretary Krishnaveni Desavatu later issued an official notification proposing the transfer of the probe.
Questions Over Investigation Grow
The case has triggered intense public scrutiny not only because of the allegations of dowry harassment but also due to concerns surrounding institutional influence and transparency in the investigation. According to police, Twisha Sharma was found hanging from a gymnastic ring rope at her Bhopal residence late on May 12.
Her family, however, has consistently maintained that her death cannot be treated as a straightforward suicide case. Relatives alleged that Twisha had become emotionally distressed within months of her marriage in December 2025 and had repeatedly spoken about harassment, pressure linked to dowry expectations and isolation from friends and family.
Some of her alleged messages circulating online reportedly described her as feeling “trapped” and emotionally exhausted. Her family further questioned the handling of forensic evidence and raised concerns over what they described as inconsistencies in the AIIMS Bhopal post-mortem report, which concluded that the cause of death was “antemortem hanging by ligature”.
Seeking a second autopsy outside Madhya Pradesh, preferably at AIIMS Delhi, the family argued that several injury marks and forensic details required closer examination. Although a lower court rejected the plea, it directed authorities to preserve the body, after which the family moved the High Court.
On the other hand, retired judge Giribala Singh publicly denied all allegations of dowry harassment and claimed Twisha had been battling mental health and substance abuse issues. Twisha’s family strongly objected to these remarks, calling them an attempt to malign the victim after death.
The disappearance of Samarth Singh since the incident has further intensified public anger, with critics questioning why the primary accused has not yet been arrested despite the seriousness of the charges.
Social Media Debate Intensifies
The Twisha Sharma case has rapidly evolved into a larger national conversation around dowry violence, women’s safety within marriage and public trust in the justice system. Social media platforms including X, Instagram, Reddit and YouTube have been flooded with discussions, opinion videos and demands for accountability.
Several users expressed concern that allegations involving influential individuals could potentially affect the impartiality of the investigation, particularly because one of the accused is a former judicial officer. Others highlighted the broader pattern of women’s complaints being ignored or minimised until a tragedy occurs.
Legal commentators and digital creators have also dissected the case through discussions on CCTV evidence, forensic findings, alleged dowry demands and courtroom developments, with many framing it as a test of whether India’s institutions can fairly investigate sensitive cases involving powerful families.
The case has also revived conversations around India’s continuing dowry crisis despite existing laws against the practice. According to National Crime Records Bureau data, thousands of dowry death cases are still reported every year across the country, underscoring how deeply entrenched social and financial pressures around marriage remain.
The proposal for a CBI probe is therefore being seen by many observers as both a response to growing public pressure and an attempt by the state government to restore confidence in the investigation process.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The death of Twisha Sharma and the events that followed highlight the urgent need for a justice system that is transparent, compassionate and trusted equally by all citizens, regardless of social status or influence. While the investigation must proceed on the basis of evidence and due process, the deeply polarised narratives around the case also reveal how quickly victims can become subjects of public judgement after death.
At a time when conversations around domestic violence, mental health and dowry-related abuse continue to shape public discourse in India, it is important that institutions respond with sensitivity, accountability and fairness rather than defensiveness or delay. Calls for an independent probe reflect a larger public demand for credibility and transparency in cases involving allegations of abuse within powerful social structures.
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