New Delhi: A bench of the Supreme Court of India headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has taken suo motu cognisance of the death case of Twisha Sharma, whose family has accused her husband and in-laws in Bhopal of being responsible for her death.

The matter has now been listed for hearing on May 25.

Apart from Chief Justice Surya Kant, the bench hearing the case will comprise Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi.

Case listed over alleged institutional bias and procedural lapses

The case has been registered under the title: ‘Alleged institutional bias and procedural discrepancies in the unnatural death of a young girl at her matrimonial home’.

According to court records, the Supreme Court will examine allegations relating to procedural irregularities and possible institutional bias in the investigation into Twisha Sharma’s death.

Her family has alleged that her husband and in-laws attempted to influence the investigation and mislead authorities during the course of the probe.

Family raises concerns over legal influence

Twisha Sharma’s husband, Samarth Singh, is a practising lawyer, while her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, is a retired judge.

Citing their alleged influence within the legal system, Twisha Sharma’s father, brother and other relatives have raised concerns over what they described as attempts to “bulldoze” the justice system.

The family has repeatedly questioned whether the investigation was being handled impartially.

Samarth Singh arrested 10 Days after death

Samarth Singh was arrested 10 days after Twisha Sharma’s body was discovered.

Responding to allegations that he had been absconding, his lawyer Mrigendra Singh told that his client had not been hiding during that period.

The circumstances surrounding the delay in the arrest have also become part of the wider public debate around the case.

Supreme Court may consider independent probe

Sources familiar with the proceedings said the Chief Justice indicated that the investigation may need to be handed over to an independent agency capable of conducting a thorough and impartial inquiry.

According to sources, Chief Justice Surya Kant subsequently directed the Supreme Court registry to formally list the matter for hearing on Monday.

With agency inputs