Giribala Singh Maligning Twisha Sharma Constantly, Not Cooperating: SG Tushar Mehta in SC

The Supreme Court today took up its suo motu case concerning the Twisha Sharma death case, which has caused nationwide outrage over allegations of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Madhya Pradesh, told the CJI Surya Kant led bench that Giribala Singh, Twisha's mother-in-law and an accused in the case was maligning Twisha's character. "This is a former judge who has been giving interviews in some or other channel maligning the deceased. We requested her so many times to record her statement she does not want to do it. We were okay to go to her place also. But she is not cooperating," SG Mehta told the bench.

Stressing on Twisha's condition at her marital home, SG told the bench that she was living in hell. "One thing is clear that the girl has lost her life. Whether it's suicide or anything else..for parents the moral is better to have a divorced daughter than a dead one. So many messages by her...she was living in hell," SG said.

Adding to this, Justice Bagchi, also part of the bench said, "But this happened in 6 months.. if it was being dragged on for two years or so.. yes. Reaction time was also next 6 months.."

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for State of Madhya Pradesh. Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra represented the victim's family whereas Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave appeared for the accused.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi heard the case which was registered two days back by the court's own motion.

Twisha Sharma, aged 33, was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12. Following her death, police registered an FIR invoking Sections 80(2), 85 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (corresponding to Sections 304-B, 498-A and 34 of the IPC) along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

On Friday, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has also issued notice on petitions challenging the anticipatory bail granted to retired judicial officer Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of Sharma. Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh was hearing two separate challenges to the order granting pre-arrest protection to Singh. While one petition has been filed by Sharma's father, the State of Madhya Pradesh has also independently approached the High Court seeking quashing of the order dated May 15 by which anticipatory bail was granted to the accused.

Appearing for the State, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, urged the High Court to intervene and set aside the anticipatory bail order. According to the order passed by the High Court, Mehta argued that anticipatory bail had been granted by the trial court "in a very hurried manner".

Notably, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has also suspended advocate Samarth Singh from legal practice with immediate effect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the death of his wife, Twisha Sharma. The BCI’s action follows the registration of criminal proceedings against Singh in connection with the death of Twisha Sharma, who was found dead at her residence in Bhopal on May 12, barely a few months after her marriage. Investigators are probing allegations relating to dowry harassment, cruelty and allied offences raised by Sharma’s family. The case has attracted widespread public attention because Singh is a practising advocate and his mother, Giribala Singh, is a retired judicial officer.

The development came on the same day that Singh appeared before a court in Jabalpur after remaining untraceable for several days following the registration of the case. His appearance followed proceedings before the Madhya Pradesh High Court, where his counsel informed the court that he was willing to surrender before the competent authority. Police subsequently took him into custody for further investigation.

The investigation has witnessed several dramatic developments over the past week. Earlier, Singh had sought anticipatory bail in connection with the case after a sessions court denied him protection from arrest. However, during proceedings before the High Court, his side indicated willingness to surrender, leading to a significant shift in the course of the matter.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered a second post-mortem examination of Twisha Sharma after her family raised concerns regarding the initial autopsy and sought a more comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. The family has consistently maintained that Sharma was subjected to mental and physical harassment after marriage and has questioned the fairness of the investigation.

The case has also triggered calls for an independent probe. During recent hearings, the State indicated that it was considering handing the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), while the High Court has continued to monitor developments closely. The family has alleged procedural lapses and has sought accountability from all authorities involved in the investigation.

Public attention on the matter intensified after details regarding Sharma’s personal communications and allegations of dowry-related harassment emerged during the investigation. Authorities had also issued lookout measures and intensified efforts to trace Singh during the period when he was reportedly unavailable to investigating agencies.

Case Title: IN RE: ALLEGED INSTITUTIONAL BIAS AND PROCEDURAL DISCREPANCIES IN THE UNNATURAL DEATH OF A YOUNG GIRL AT HER MATRIMONIAL HOME

Bench: CJI Kant, Justice Bagchi and Justice Pancholi

Hearing Date: May 25, 2026