‘We are slightly in pain...’: SC on narrative around Twisha Sharma death case

New Delhi/Bhopal: The Supreme Court on Monday stressed the need for a “fair and impartial” investigation into the death of Twisha Sharma, cautioning both families and the media against making public statements that could influence the ongoing probe.

The court was hearing suo motu proceedings initiated after allegations of institutional bias and procedural irregularities surfaced in the investigation into the 33-year-old former Miss Pune’s death in Bhopal.

Twisha Sharma was found hanging in Katara Hills on May 12. Her family has accused her husband, suspended lawyer Samarth Singh, and mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh, of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. The accused family has denied the allegations.

A bench headed by the Chief Justice of India observed that the matter had generated competing public narratives, including claims questioning the fairness of the investigation.

"We are slightly in pain because of some of the actions. We will request our media friends to not go for the statements of the victim's family or the other family. Let the things move as per law and procedure

"We request media not to record statements of the victim's family and reduce their pain to sound bites," the bench said, adding that a narrative should be avoided.

The bench cautioned against relying on statements made publicly by either side.

“Don’t go for the statements of the victim’s family or the other family. Otherwise, one section is saying the judiciary is not allowing a fair trial. We do not want to cast...We have no doubt over our state agencies, or CBI. It’s only because this kind of narrative is being created. We will ensure whatever unfortunate incident has taken place is fairly and impartially investigated,” the CJI said.

The Court also advised all parties to cooperate directly with investigators instead of making media appearances.

"We would like to impress upon the family members of the victim as well as the accused that instead of making statements in public or before a media platform, they should get their versions recorded before the investigating agency so that no prejudice or adverse impact is had on the ongoing investigation," the bench said.

"We also request the media to avoid recording statements of persons who are likely to be potential witnesses, as it may unnecessarily impact the outcomes on certain issues which are to be investigated.

"We also request the public that they should refrain from speculation and to have trust and faith in one of the premier investigating agencies. We are sure that in due course of time it will take the investigation to a conclusion," it said while disposing of the suo motu case.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, informed the Court that one of the potential accused, the deceased’s mother-in-law, had allegedly been making media statements maligning the victim.

Mehta told the bench that the FIR was registered on May 15 and that anticipatory bail was granted to the mother-in-law the same day. The state government also claimed she was not cooperating with investigators.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Twisha Sharma’s family, raised concerns over the delay in registration of the FIR and issues related to the investigation before the CBI formally takes over.

However, the Court clarified that it was not examining the merits of the investigation and had left the matter open for the CBI to proceed in accordance with law.

Meanwhile, police in Bhopal continued detailed questioning of Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh.

Officials said statements made by both accused are being cross-verified and no final conclusion has been reached so far.

A senior police officer said investigators were separately questioning the mother and son regarding allegations of dowry harassment.

“We have questioned Giribala Singh. The process takes time. Her son Samarth Singh, who is in police custody, is also being interrogated. Information given by one accused is being verified with the other,” the officer told PTI.

The officer added, “As of now, the case appears to be one of suicide, but the investigation is continuing. It would be premature to draw any conclusion at this stage.”

Police sources said Samarth Singh allegedly told investigators that relations between the couple deteriorated after Twisha became pregnant.

Samarth Singh was arrested in Jabalpur on Friday after remaining absconding for 10 days and was later sent to seven-day police custody by a Bhopal court.

On Sunday, a second postmortem was conducted by a team from AIIMS-Delhi following directions from the Madhya Pradesh High Court after Twisha’s parents raised concerns over alleged procedural lapses in the original autopsy.

Chief of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, Dr Sudhir Gupta, said the final report would take time due to pending laboratory examinations, including histopathology and viscera analysis.

Twisha’s in-laws have alleged that she struggled with drug addiction, a claim strongly denied by her family.

Her mortal remains were cremated in Bhopal on Sunday evening following the second autopsy.