MP HC Rejects Bail Plea of Former Judge Giribala Singh in Twisha Sharma Death Case

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has rejected the bail application of Giribala Singh, former district judge and mother-in-law of deceased Twisha Sharma, in the case related to the latter’s death at her matrimonial home in Bhopal.

Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari heard the bail plea filed by accused Giribala Singh in the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on October 26 and reserved the order.

The court observed that WhatsApp conversations, CCTV footage and other circumstances surrounding the death required further investigation and careful examination during trial, noting that key digital and forensic reports were still awaited and rejected the bail plea.

“The data extraction from the mobile phone belonging to the deceased is still awaited. Such extraction may reveal further material relevant to the allegations against the accused persons and may also assist in identifying other witnesses connected with the incident. Similarly, the extracted data from the DVR installed at the residence of the applicant has been forwarded for forensic examination, particularly to ascertain the continuity and authenticity of the CCTV footage. The forensic report is still awaited,” the Court said.

It further added, “The case diary also contains material indicating that, after the incident, the applicant allegedly contacted certain influential persons holding high positions. The circumstances surrounding such communications would also require examination during further investigation. Learned counsel for the applicant has contended that there was no mens rea on the part of the applicant. However, having regard to the WhatsApp conversations exchanged by the deceased with her family members immediately prior to the incident, the CCTV footage collected during investigation, the circumstances in which the deceased was found and the material relating to the subsequent conduct of the accused persons, this Court is of the view that the allegations and the respective roles of the accused persons require further investigation and careful examination during trial.”

“At this stage, the contention regarding absence of mens rea cannot be considered in isolation from the other circumstances emerging from the case diary. 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 under Section 193(9) of the BNSS 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. Accordingly, the bail application is hereby rejected,” the judge said.

Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial house in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on the night of May 12. While her in-laws claimed she died by suicide, her maternal family alleged that she was murdered. 

ALSO READ: Over Rs 1 Crore Recovered From TMC Office In Bengal After Abhishek Banerjee Aide's Interrogation