Wrist, elbow injuries: MP govt raises fresh questions in Twisha Sharma death case

The Twisha Sharma death case took a dramatic turn on Wednesday after the Madhya Pradesh government told the High Court that the injury marks mentioned in her post-mortem report could have resulted from a scuffle or struggle before her death.

The state government’s submission has opened up the possibility of the case, so far treated as a suicide, being re-examined as a murder, adding to the legal trouble for her mother-in-law Giribala Singh and her son, Samarth Singh.

“There were injuries on the wrist, elbow and head,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the state government, said. He also argued that the post-mortem report indicates these injuries could not have occurred while the body was being taken down.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court was hearing petitions challenging the anticipatory bail granted to Twisha’s mother-in-law, who, according to the state government, had subjected the 33-year-old to dowry-related harassment along with her son.

The Madhya Pradesh government alleged that Twisha’s mother-in-law and husband repeatedly taunted her over what they claimed was inadequate spending by her family on the wedding.

Meanwhile, the High Court reserved its order on pleas seeking cancellation of bail granted to Singh.

'HAS TIME FOR MEDIA, BUT NOT SUMMONS'

The state government, represented by Mehta, came down heavily on Singh, a top judicial official in Bhopal, alleging that she did not join the probe despite being served two notices on May 13, 14.

It argued that Singh was not found at her home even when the police went there to issue the summons.

The state government further argued that Twisha's mother-in-law tried to play with the prosecution, hinting at a possible cover-up in the case. It added that the lower court failed to see the influential position held by Singh while granting her anticipatory bail.

During the argument, Singh's repeated interactions with the media following Twisha's death came under the spotlight.

“She had time to speak to the media, but not to cooperate with the investigation,” Mehta told the court.

'MOTHER-IN-LAW RESPONSIBLE FOR RIFT'

Mehta accused Singh of displaying “arrogance” rather than cooperating with the investigation, while referring to her communication with probe agencies.

“Press conferences are held with confidence. They create a narrative and influence witnesses,” he argued before the court.

Mehta further alleged that an attempt was being made to project Singh as someone with “liberal views”, while WhatsApp chats suggested otherwise.

Referring to messages exchanged between Twisha and her mother, Mehta said the deceased’s family repeatedly advised her to “adjust” and maintain ties with her mother-in-law despite the alleged harassment.

The Solicitor General also referred to a chat which, according to him, indicated that the mother-in-law had created a rift between Twisha and her husband.

'TWISHA DIED UNNATURAL DEATH'

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for Twisha Sharma’s family, argued before the High Court that the anticipatory bail was given based on a sentence taken “completely out of context”.

Luthra argued that anticipatory bail was confirmed at a stage when the FIR was still at a nascent stage and before the accused had even joined the investigation. “In a case of this nature, the court should not have granted bail without examining the nature of the probe,” he told the court.

Referring to WhatsApp chats exchanged by Twisha, Luthra told the court that her in-laws had allegedly questioned the paternity of her child. “What can be a greater cruelty to a woman?” he asked, adding that Twisha had undergone an abortion.

Reading out messages sent by Twisha to her mother, Luthra cited one chat in which she allegedly wrote: “Ye sab bohot zyada nirdayi hai, koi daya nahi hai, mera dam ghutta hai yaha (They are extremely cruel, there is no compassion here, I feel suffocated).”

Luthra further argued that Twisha appeared deeply fearful in her final conversations, adding that Twisha died an unnatural death.

CBI GETS CUSTODY OF SAMARTH

In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday took Twisha Sharma's husband, Samarth Singh, into custody in connection with her suspicious death.

The state government had backed the CBI's plea seeking custody of the mother-son duo, arguing that conditions imposed while granting bail required cooperation with the investigation and restraint from tampering with evidence.

“See her conduct, she called a press conference, made wild allegations against Twisha who is not here to counter those allegations,” the state government argued before the court.

The federal agency took over the investigation on Monday after re-registering the FIR originally filed by Madhya Pradesh Police. The FIR names Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh as accused.

CASE RECAP

Twisha, a former Miss Pune, was allegedly found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12.

Her family accused her husband and in-laws of mental torture, domestic violence and dowry harassment. According to the FIR, her relatives alleged that the accused were unhappy with the dowry given during her marriage on December 9, 2025.

The case took another turn earlier this week when a team of doctors from AIIMS-Delhi conducted a second postmortem examination following directions from the Madhya Pradesh High Court after Twisha’s parents raised concerns over alleged procedural lapses in the initial probe.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court is now expected to decide on the plea seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail, a ruling that could significantly shape the direction of the probe.