Twisha death case: MP High Court denies bail to former judge Giribala Singh

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has rejected the bail application of former judge Giribala Singh in connection with the death of her daughter-in-law, Twisha Sharma, observing that crucial forensic reports and digital evidence were still awaited and the circumstances surrounding her death required further investigation.

In an order passed on Wednesday, Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari said the court was not inclined to grant bail at this stage, considering the gravity of the allegations, the material gathered during the investigation and the circumstances preceding Twisha’s death.

The court noted that data extraction from Twisha’s iPhone was yet to be completed, while the forensic examination of CCTV footage from the accused’s residence was also pending.

“The data extraction from the primary mobile phone, namely, the iPhone belonging to the deceased, is still awaited,” the order said, adding that the material could reveal further evidence against the accused and help identify additional witnesses.

The court also noted that the CCTV footage had been sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in New Delhi to establish its continuity and authenticity.

“The forensic report is still awaited,” the order said, observing that any evidence of alteration or tampering with the recorded data could necessitate further investigation.

Referring to material in the case diary, the court also noted that Giribala had allegedly contacted influential persons after the incident.

“The circumstances surrounding such communications would also require examination during further investigation,” it said.

Rejecting the defence argument that the accused lacked the requisite criminal intent, the court said the contention could not be examined in isolation from other circumstances emerging during the investigation.

The order referred to WhatsApp conversations between Twisha and her family members shortly before the incident, CCTV footage collected during the investigation, the circumstances in which she was found and the subsequent conduct of the accused persons.

“These allegations and the respective roles of the accused persons require further investigation and careful examination during trial,” the court said.

Emphasising that the question of criminal intent had to be considered alongside the other material in the case diary, the court declined to grant relief.

“Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegations, the material collected during investigation, the circumstances immediately preceding the death of the deceased, the CCTV footage, the post-mortem reports and, particularly, the fact that further investigation is still in progress and important forensic reports and digital extraction reports are awaited, this Court is not inclined to enlarge the applicant on bail at this stage,” the order said.

Twisha, a model and actor, was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal on May 12, five months after marrying lawyer Samarth Singh. Her family alleged that she had been harassed over dowry demands and pressured to terminate her pregnancy.

The case was subsequently handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following allegations of lapses in the initial investigation.