Bar Council suspends Twisha's husband amid probe into dowry-linked death case
The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Friday suspended Twisha Sharma's husband, advocate Samarth Singh, from legal practice following serious allegations linked to the dowry-related death of his wife in Bhopal.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Friday suspended the licence of Bhopal-based lawyer Samarth Singh, ten days after his wife Twisha Sharma was found hanging at her matrimonial home under mysterious circumstances.
The BCI noted that an FIR has been registered against Samarth Singh and others in connection with allegations of dowry death and cruelty and observed that he was not cooperating with the investigation. In view of these circumstances, the Council said urgent action was required to protect the integrity of the legal profession.
In its interim order, the Council noted that the charges are “grave” and strike at the dignity and public image of the legal profession. Describing advocates as officers of the court, the BCI said it is duty-bound to safeguard public confidence in the administration of justice.
“In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the role of the advocate in the death of his wife, the registration of criminal proceedings, and the fact that he is absconding, it is necessary to pass an urgent interim order,” the BCI Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said in the statement.
Under the suspension order, Singh will not be allowed to appear, act, plead or practise before any court, tribunal or authority in India. He is also barred from filing vakalatnamas or representing himself as an enrolled advocate during the suspension period.
Meanwhile, Twisha Sharma’s husband appeared at Jabalpur court to surrender after 10 days on the run. However, confusion prevailed on the ground as he moved between courtrooms while police personnel waited outside to take him into custody.
Samarth Singh was eventually detained by Jabalpur Police and is now being taken to Bhopal for further proceedings.
Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old former Miss Pune, was found hanging at her marital home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12. Her in-laws have alleged she was struggling with drug addiction, while her family has accused them of dowry harassment and sustained mental pressure.The disciplinary action comes alongside parallel judicial developments in the case.
The case saw a series of rapid developments today, including the High Court’s order for a second post-mortem, the husband being taken into police custody after 10 days on the run and a notice issued to her mother-in-law over alleged non-cooperation with the investigation.
The first post-mortem report cited hanging as the cause of death, but her family pointed to multiple injury marks on the body, alleging that she was murdered and did not die by suicide.
The matter is now under CBI investigation following the judicial directions.
Twisha’s parents have alleged dowry-related harassment, coercion linked to the pregnancy and sustained mental abuse. In contrast, Twisha’s mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh, has presented a different account in media interactions.
She claimed Twisha had “confessed to consuming large quantities of marijuana during pregnancy,” was undergoing psychiatric treatment, and had been prescribed medication “given to a schizophrenic patient.”
She further alleged that Twisha did not want to continue the pregnancy and had taken abortion pills on May 7, later expressing a desire to reverse the procedure, which she said was not medically possible.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Friday suspended the licence of Bhopal-based lawyer Samarth Singh, ten days after his wife Twisha Sharma was found hanging at her matrimonial home under mysterious circumstances.
The BCI noted that an FIR has been registered against Samarth Singh and others in connection with allegations of dowry death and cruelty and observed that he was not cooperating with the investigation. In view of these circumstances, the Council said urgent action was required to protect the integrity of the legal profession.
In its interim order, the Council noted that the charges are “grave” and strike at the dignity and public image of the legal profession. Describing advocates as officers of the court, the BCI said it is duty-bound to safeguard public confidence in the administration of justice.
“In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the role of the advocate in the death of his wife, the registration of criminal proceedings, and the fact that he is absconding, it is necessary to pass an urgent interim order,” the BCI Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said in the statement.
Under the suspension order, Singh will not be allowed to appear, act, plead or practise before any court, tribunal or authority in India. He is also barred from filing vakalatnamas or representing himself as an enrolled advocate during the suspension period.
Meanwhile, Twisha Sharma’s husband appeared at Jabalpur court to surrender after 10 days on the run. However, confusion prevailed on the ground as he moved between courtrooms while police personnel waited outside to take him into custody.
Samarth Singh was eventually detained by Jabalpur Police and is now being taken to Bhopal for further proceedings.
Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old former Miss Pune, was found hanging at her marital home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12. Her in-laws have alleged she was struggling with drug addiction, while her family has accused them of dowry harassment and sustained mental pressure.The disciplinary action comes alongside parallel judicial developments in the case.
The case saw a series of rapid developments today, including the High Court’s order for a second post-mortem, the husband being taken into police custody after 10 days on the run and a notice issued to her mother-in-law over alleged non-cooperation with the investigation.
The first post-mortem report cited hanging as the cause of death, but her family pointed to multiple injury marks on the body, alleging that she was murdered and did not die by suicide.
The matter is now under CBI investigation following the judicial directions.
Twisha’s parents have alleged dowry-related harassment, coercion linked to the pregnancy and sustained mental abuse. In contrast, Twisha’s mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh, has presented a different account in media interactions.
She claimed Twisha had “confessed to consuming large quantities of marijuana during pregnancy,” was undergoing psychiatric treatment, and had been prescribed medication “given to a schizophrenic patient.”
She further alleged that Twisha did not want to continue the pregnancy and had taken abortion pills on May 7, later expressing a desire to reverse the procedure, which she said was not medically possible.
