New Delhi, May 22, 2026: In a major development that shifts the direction of a case gripping public attention, the Madhya Pradesh government has officially recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the tragic death of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma. Exercising powers under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the state’s Home Department issued a formal notification granting consent to extend the CBI’s jurisdiction across the state to handle the high-profile inquiry.
The decision comes directly after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met with the grieving family members of Twisha Sharma at the state secretariat. Yielding to intensive public pressure, family protests outside the chief minister’s residence, and systemic allegations of a heavily compromised local police investigation, the state government has completely bypassed local authorities to bring in the country’s premier central agency.
Background of the Tragic Incident
and former model who had worked in corporate marketing and regional cinema, was found dead on the night of May 12, 2026. Her body was discovered hanging at her marital home in the upscale Katara Hills locality of Bhopal, just five months after her marriage. She was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, where doctors declared her brought dead and immediately alerted local law enforcement.
What initially began as a suspected suicide quickly erupted into a massive criminal controversy. Twisha’s family refused to perform her last rites immediately, launching an aggressive public campaign alleging brutal domestic abuse, continuous physical torture, and relentless dowry harassment. The primary accused named in the First Information Report (FIR) are her husband, Samarth Singh—a prominent Bhopal-based advocate—and her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, a highly influential retired district judge.
Key Medical and Forensic Contradictions
The investigation has been highly contentious due to stark contradictions between the local police statements and the initial medical reports, which have fueled the family’s demands for a central probe.
The Autopsy Findings
Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar recently announced that preliminary forensic findings point toward “antemortem hanging,” suggesting that the hanging occurred while Twisha was still alive, thereby leaning heavily toward a suicide theory. However, the exact same post-mortem report noted multiple external injuries scattered across her body.
Family Demands and Medical Termination
Twisha’s family has aggressively challenged the local police’s suicide narrative, questioning how she sustained physical injuries prior to the hanging. They have openly alleged homicide and are currently moving the Madhya Pradesh High Court to demand a second independent post-mortem examination, preferably conducted at AIIMS Delhi, to ensure unbiased medical scrutiny. Furthermore, emerging investigation details reveal that Twisha had undergone a medical termination of pregnancy shortly before her death, adding another layer of physical and emotional trauma to the timeline.
Allegations of Extortion and Digital Evidence
According to criminal complaints filed by Twisha’s parents, she was subjected to extreme pressure to fulfill exorbitant dowry demands immediately after the wedding. The family alleges that her in-laws continuously demanded high-end luxury items, including a Toyota Fortuner SUV, alongside substantial monetary gifts.
The legal counsel representing Twisha’s family, Ankur Pandey, has presented critical digital evidence to the courts, including distressing WhatsApp chat logs between Twisha and her mother-in-law. The messages paint a bleak picture of severe isolation, mental cruelty, and daily hostility.
Legal Standby: Absconding Husband and Vulnerable Bail Status
The police have registered an FIR under Sections 80(2), 85, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), alongside strict provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
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The Husband: Samarth Singh has been completely absconding since May 12. Bhopal police have issued a formal lookout notice to prevent him from fleeing the country, initiated judicial proceedings to revoke his passport, and announced a cash reward of ₹10,000 for any actionable information leading to his arrest. His anticipatory bail plea was soundly rejected by a Bhopal district court, prompting him to approach the Jabalpur bench of the High Court.
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The Mother-In-Law: Retired judge Giribala Singh managed to secure anticipatory bail within hours of the FIR being registered—a swift legal relief that Twisha’s family claims is clear proof of her utilizing her deep institutional influence to manipulate the local legal framework.
However, her legal protection is rapidly eroding. The state government has aggressively moved the High Court to challenge and cancel her anticipatory bail. Simultaneously, the police issued a “third and final notice” for her to record her statement, warning that continued non-cooperation will result in an immediate push for her custodial arrest.
State Level Actions and National Scrutiny
Beyond the impending criminal takeover by the CBI, the institutional backlash against the accused family has intensified across multiple government departments.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also intervened, taking suo motu cognisance of the model’s death within five months of marriage. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has formally issued a directive to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, demanding a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR). The commission’s intervention ensures that digital forensics, CCTV footage, and call detail records (CDR) are strictly protected against any local tampering or systemic destruction of evidence.
With the state government officially clearing the path for the Central Bureau of Investigation, local jurisdiction is frozen, and federal investigators are set to take physical possession of all case files, electronic evidence, and forensic logs from the Katara Hills crime scene in the coming days.