Bhopal, May 25, 2026: The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday granted retired judge Giribala Singh a two-day extension to file her response in a case challenging the anticipatory bail she was granted in connection with the dowry death and harassment case of Twisha Sharma. The court’s decision came after the state government informed the bench that Singh had not been cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
The development follows the first interrogation of Singh by the Bhopal Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) since the filing of the First Information Report (FIR) on May 15. Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar dismissed allegations of tampering with CCTV footage from Singh’s residence, where Twisha Sharma was found dead on the night of May 12. Meanwhile, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team from New Delhi has been dispatched to Bhopal and is expected to assume control of the case following the state government’s recommendation.
Earlier on Monday, the High Court had directed Singh to appear before it, but her counsel, Enosh George, requested an adjournment, stating that Singh had not yet received a copy of the petition filed by Twisha Sharma’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, which challenges the anticipatory bail granted by a local Bhopal court. The state government has also filed a separate plea against the bail. Justice Devnarayan Mishra, presiding over the single bench, ordered that copies of the petitions be provided to both the state and Singh by the end of the day. Singh has been given until May 27 to file her reply.
Police are continuing their questioning of Twisha Sharma’s husband, Samarth Singh, a lawyer, and are verifying details obtained from him and his mother. Commissioner Kumar stated that the investigation is ongoing and that a police team had previously interrogated Singh on specific points, with further questioning planned. Responding to media questions about allegations of CCTV footage tampering and alleged attempts to influence CCTV operators, Kumar firmly denied any tampering. He also mentioned that bank transactions and other details are being scrutinized to determine Samarth Singh’s movements during the week he was absconding.
A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Samarth Singh had traveled to multiple locations while evading arrest, including staying in Jabalpur for several days. The officer also disclosed that Samarth had admitted to frequent arguments with Twisha, including a dispute on the day of her death over a trip. The couple had reportedly been experiencing marital discord since Twisha’s pregnancy. Addressing delays in recovering evidence, such as the rope allegedly used in the hanging, the officer acknowledged initial delays but confirmed that all such items were recovered after the FIR was filed.
The latest court proceedings follow the cremation of Twisha Sharma’s body in Bhopal on Sunday, a day after a second autopsy, ordered by the High Court, was conducted by a medical team from AIIMS New Delhi. Twisha, a 33-year-old model, was found hanging in her marital home on May 12, just five months after her marriage to Samarth Singh. Her family has alleged a history of dowry demands, mental harassment by her in-laws, and procedural lapses, institutional bias, and lack of cooperation from the local police in the aftermath of her death.
With inputs from Devesh K. Pandey, New Delhi
