GUWAHATI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, May 28, arrested Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma, from her residence in Bhopal in connection with the alleged dowry death case that has sparked widespread attention.
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CBI officials arrived at Giribala Singh’s residence at around 10:30 am and questioned her for several hours before formally placing her under arrest at approximately 5:10 PM.
As part of the investigation, the agency also conducted an extensive forensic examination of the residence. Officials used high-resolution 3D imaging equipment to digitally record the entire premises and examine surrounding areas, including neighbouring terraces and balconies, to assess visibility of the alleged incident spot.
Giribala Singh has been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 80(2) for dowry death, Section 85 for cruelty towards a woman by her husband or relatives, and Section 3(5) for acts committed in furtherance of common intention. She also faces charges under Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
The arrest came a day after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled the anticipatory bail granted to her earlier by the 10th Additional Sessions Judge in Bhopal on May 15.
During the hearing, counsel representing Twisha Sharma’s family alleged that the victim had been subjected to continuous mental harassment and was “badly trapped” in her matrimonial home.
In its observations, the high court noted that statements recorded from the victim’s parents and relatives consistently pointed towards alleged harassment by both Giribala Singh and her son, Samarth Singh, from the initial stages of the investigation.
The court also expressed concern over allegations that Giribala Singh, a retired judicial officer with training in cyber crime, cyber forensics and crime scene management, may have attempted to influence the investigation and tamper with evidence.
Earlier last week, Samarth Singh — Twisha Sharma’s husband and a practicing lawyer — surrendered before a court after remaining absconding for nearly 10 days.
The CBI officially took over the probe into Twisha Sharma’s death on Monday. The agency subsequently re-registered the FIR that had earlier been filed by the state police against Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh.
According to the FIR registered by the CBI, Giribala Singh had allegedly demanded ₹2 lakh from Twisha Sharma’s family during the vidai ceremony, a demand that was allegedly fulfilled by the victim’s family.
Twisha Sharma was allegedly found hanging at her matrimonial home on May 12, following which allegations of dowry harassment and mental abuse surfaced against her husband and mother-in-law.
