Bhopal Woman’s Death Sparks Dowry Harassment Probe; SIT Formed as Husband Goes Absconding
A major investigation has been launched by the Bhopal Police into the death of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma, whose family has alleged dowry harassment, physical abuse, and destruction of evidence.
In response to the serious accusations, police have constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine every aspect of the case, which has drawn widespread public attention in Bhopal.
Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial home in the Katara Hills area on the night of May 12.
Following complaints from her family, police registered an FIR against her husband, advocate Samarth Singh, and her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, a retired district judge who previously served in Bhopal and retired in February 2023.
The case has been registered under provisions related to dowry death, dowry harassment, and other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The SIT is being led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajnish Kashyap, who said investigators are carefully reviewing the postmortem findings while also considering the family’s demand for a second medical examination.
According to Kashyap, the decision regarding a fresh postmortem in Delhi would ultimately depend on the court.
Police officials said statements have already been recorded concerning allegations of mental and physical harassment against both accused.
Kashyap stated that the primary focus of the investigation is to determine whether Twisha was subjected to sustained abuse and torture within her matrimonial home.
Authorities are also relying on technical surveillance as part of the investigation.
While Giribala Singh has secured anticipatory bail from a local court, police teams have been deployed to trace and arrest Samarth Singh, who is currently absconding.
Officials confirmed that the court granted relief to the retired judge within 24 hours of the FIR being filed, citing her age and allowing bail on a personal bond of ₹50,000. Meanwhile, Samarth Singh’s anticipatory bail plea is scheduled to be heard on Monday.
According to investigators, Twisha Sharma, originally from Noida, met Samarth Singh through a dating application in 2024.
The two got married in December 2025 and had reportedly been married for only around five months before her death.
Police said that on the night of the incident, Twisha was taken to a hospital by her husband and mother-in-law, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Authorities received information about the death from hospital officials at approximately 11 pm, after which an investigation was initiated.
Twisha’s family has accused her husband and in-laws of subjecting her to continuous emotional and physical abuse after marriage.
They have further alleged that she faced dowry-related harassment and that attempts were made to destroy evidence following her death.
Her brother, Harshit Sharma, claimed that the alleged abuse began shortly after the wedding. He alleged that Twisha was repeatedly subjected to mental pressure, emotional trauma, and demands linked to dowry.
The family also made serious allegations regarding her pregnancy, claiming that she was forced to terminate it against her wishes.
According to Harshit, Twisha wanted to continue with the pregnancy, but her husband and mother-in-law allegedly questioned her character and pressured her into undergoing an abortion. These allegations are now also expected to form part of the SIT investigation.
Family members said Twisha had spoken to her mother just hours before her death. Following the incident, the family initially refused to perform her last rites until police formally registered an FIR in the matter.
They also staged protests outside the Katara Hills police station, accusing authorities of delaying action.
Police, however, rejected the allegations of inaction and stated that officers were engaged in recording statements, collecting evidence, and completing procedural formalities before legal action could proceed.
Officials maintained that the FIR and investigation followed due legal process after the postmortem examination and preliminary inquiry.
On Sunday, Twisha’s relatives intensified their protest by gathering outside the residence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in Bhopal.
The family demanded that Twisha’s body be sent to AIIMS Delhi for a second postmortem examination, alleging that crucial facts may have been overlooked.
The protest began around 12:30 pm outside the main entrance of the Chief Minister’s residence, where family members raised slogans and demanded direct intervention from the state government.
In response, senior police officials and personnel from multiple police stations were deployed at the site to maintain security and manage the situation.
Police officials have assured that the SIT, which also includes a woman officer, will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations raised by the family, including claims of dowry harassment, assault, and destruction of evidence.
