Bhopal: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team on Thursday conducted a 3D scanning of the Bhopal residence belonging to retired judge Giribala Singh, as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of her daughter-in-law, actress Twisha Sharma.
Accompanied by a heavy police contingent, the federal investigators arrived at Singh's house in the Katara Hills area at around 10:30 AM. Local authorities set up barricades and restricted public access to the vicinity while the operation was underway.
The forensic search comes just twenty-four hours after the Madhya Pradesh High Court revoked the anticipatory bail previously granted to the retired judicial officer.
Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial residence on May 12. Following the incident, Giribala Singh successfully secured pre-arrest bail from a Bhopal sessions court on May 15. However, in a comprehensive 17-page order delivered on Wednesday, High Court Vacation Judge Devnarayan Mishra quashed that lower court order, ruling that the trial court had overlooked critical evidence and material facts.
Judge Mishra highlighted that WhatsApp conversations and statements from the victim's family suggested the accusations were not confined solely to Twisha's husband, Samarth Singh.
"From the WhatsApp chats also, it cannot be said that the allegations are only against Samarth Singh," the High Court noted, pointing out that several crucial factors were ignored when relief was initially granted to the retired judge.
The High Court stated that the accusations against Giribala Singh demand a more rigorous investigation under Sections 80(2), 85, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The bench also took note of complaints from Twisha's family alleging that both Giribala Singh and her son subjected the actress to dowry harassment and pressured her to terminate her pregnancy.
While the official postmortem report attributed the cause of death to antemortem hanging by ligature, the High Court emphasized that six to seven additional injuries were recorded on Twisha's body-specifically on her head, finger, and left arm. A subsequent medical query report confirmed that these injuries did not occur while lowering the body or during transit to the hospital, adding scrutiny to the events leading to her death.
During the court proceedings, the legal counsel representing Twisha's father argued that Giribala Singh's professional background as a retired judicial officer trained in cyber forensics and crime scene management raised risks that she may have manipulated the crime scene.
Also read: Twisha Sharma death case: MP High Court cancels mother-in-law Giribala Singh's bail
Speaking to IANS on Thursday, Madhya Pradesh Advocate General Prashant Singh outlined the state government's position: "A detailed hearing was held yesterday in the matter. The main points considered by the High Court include that seven anti-mortem injuries were found on Twisha Sharma's body, indicating the seriousness of the case. Secondly, several notices were issued by the investigating team, but the required cooperation was not provided by Giribala Singh."
The CBI is expected to take Giribala Singh into custody in the coming hours.