Twisha Sharma death case: Demand for second post-mortem; legal battle ensues, father says mother-in-law “tortured” | Today’s news
The legal battle between the family and in-laws of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma continues as her father moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to Twisha’s mother-in-law by a trial court recently.
Meanwhile, Twisha’s husband also moved the high court for anticipatory bail on Thursday. At the same time, her family demanded a “second autopsy”.
Read also | Twisha was on a ‘schizophrenic drug’: Mother-in-law denies dowry claim
Twisha Sharma was found hanging in her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12. Last December, she got married to Samarth Singh, who is a lawyer.
Her family accused her mother-in-law of dowry harassment and inducing suicide, while the Singh family alleged that she was a drug addict.
Read also | Twisha was on a ‘schizophrenic drug’: Mother-in-law denies dowry claim
Here’s all the latest you need to know about Twisha Sharma’s ‘dowry’ death case:
1. Twish Sharma’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, on Thursday moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court to seek cancellation of the anticipatory bail granted to Twish’s mother-in-law and former district judge Giribal Singh during a court session recently.
The petition challenged the Bhopal court’s May 15 order that shielded Singh from arrest considering her age of 63 and her status as a former judge, the Bar and Bench said.
The Sessions Court also observed that the allegations mainly related to Twisha Sharma’s husband, Samarth Singh.
Read also | Twisha Sharma’s latest chats spark fury, internet debates ‘modify’ thinking
Meanwhile, Advocate Ankur Pandey, counsel for her family, said, “…She (Giribala Singh) was granted bail against the established principle, against the law…The court’s observations regarding loss of presumption are that we do not accept that presumption in this situation…”
“They have granted the benefit of anticipatory bail to Giribal Singh against the law. Against this we are seeking cancellation of bail in the High Court today…,” he said.
2. Navnidhi Sharma, the father of the 33-year-old woman, Twisha Sharma, claimed that Twisha’s mother-in-law “tortured” her.
Trisha’s father said, “We are going to the High Court to cancel the anticipatory bail of her mother-in-law… It is clear what kind of women they were and how she abused her…”
He further claimed, “They did not think it would be appropriate to call an ambulance or the police station, apart from that they called all their influential relatives… The Chief Minister assured us that he stands with us in justice.
3. Twisha’s fugitive husband Samarth Singh has also sought an anticipatory bail application which could be heard on Friday, while the application filed by Twisha’s family may be heard on Monday.
The Bhopal court had earlier rejected Samarth Singh’s anticipatory bail application while granting relief to Giribala Singh.
Advocate Mrigendra Singh, representing the accused, said, “…Twisha’s mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, has already been granted bail by the Bhopal court.”
“We have now filed an anticipatory bail application on behalf of her husband Samarth Singh in the Bhopal court which has been rejected. We have filed a bail application against him in the High Court which is likely to be heard tomorrow or next Monday before a judge…,” he said.
According to news agency PTI, Samarth Singh, who is on the run since the FIR was registered, claimed in his plea that he and his family were cooperating in the investigation and no custodial interrogation was necessary as the essential material had already been secured.
His objection also alleged that the WhatsApp chats submitted by the complainant were “edited and incomplete” and could not be relied upon.
4. Trisha’s family also demanded a CBI probe and a second post-mortem on Trisha’s body.
“We have demanded an independent CBI probe, which they have accepted and taken forward with the process… We are adamant in our demand for a second post-mortem…,” said Trisha’s father.
Advocate Ankur Pandey, counsel for her family, also said, “We will also ask for a second post-mortem and if there is no facility in Madhya Pradesh to preserve the body, it should also be shifted somewhere else…”
5. Lokesh Sharma, the deceased’s uncle, said they had approached the Magistrate’s Court seeking permission for a second post-mortem but were told that it did not come under their jurisdiction.
“We asked the Magistrate’s Court for a second post-mortem but they also told us that it is not within their jurisdiction… The whole system is not working and it is clear from the look of it that there is a plan to free the accused. It is possible that some false charges will be brought against us tomorrow…,” he said.
“His mother was just saying that he has the right to get bail… We have no rights… We demand justice… Our case should be referred to CBI immediately and the government should help us take our case to the Supreme Court… The MP government should really take it upon itself to bring justice to this case,” he added.
6. Ashish Sharma, brother of deceased Twish Sharma, said that the family is constantly seeking justice in the case and questioned the legal process and the conduct of the investigation.
“This is not a game. There is a father who saw his daughter and after that he keeps trying to get justice. He didn’t get justice. He went to court and was told that he should not get bail. He is given bail. He is not allowed to be in court,” he told ANI.
He added, “He was harassed in court. He knows all that. He keeps demanding PM2 (post-mortem) after FIR. He says yes to it. He is told to go to court and he says no. He is going to High Court for PM2.”
“Is it a complex system? Is there no humanity? Do you understand that he should go to the High Court or the Sessions Court or the Jabalpur Court or the Supreme Court if they say no?” he asked.
7. Swati Sharma, sister of Twisha Sharma, said that the family of the accused raised serious allegations during the meeting in Bhopal and questioned the character of the deceased.
She claimed that questions were raised about the personal life and character of the deceased.
“I am shy to speak on camera. The lady is asking her daughter-in-law about her past relationship and her character. You are raising a finger at your daughter-in-law who has not been in your house for 4-5 months. We recorded her audio. Otherwise she would have spoken badly. I feel helpless. I have no words to express her character. She was talking about her character. My sister’s mental state,” she said.
8. Advocate Mrigendra Singh, representing the accused in the Twisha Sharma death case, said on Thursday that they want the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the case.
