Twisha Sharma case: Attorney General’s message to all parents: ‘It’s better to have a divorced daughter than…’ | Today’s news
Expressing concern over claims that the judiciary is shielding the accused, the Supreme Court on Monday assured that a fair, independent and impartial CBI probe will be conducted into the death of former model and actor Twisha Sharma.
Sharma, 33, was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills locality on May 12. Her family alleged that she was subjected to dowry harassment by her in-laws and driven to suicide, while her relatives claimed that she struggled with drug addiction.
Police have registered an FIR against the woman’s husband, Samarth Singh, an advocate, and her mother-in-law, former district magistrate Giribala Singh, on charges of dowry harassment.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the media to maintain restraint and report on the development of the case.
Here is what SC said
“We are slightly pained by some of the actions. We will ask our media friends not to seek statements from the victim’s family or other families. Let things go according to law and procedure.”
Read also | Twisha Sharma death case hearing: CJI says case will reach ‘logical conclusion’
“We request the media not to record the statements of the victim’s family and reduce their pain to sound bites,” the bench said, saying the narrative should be avoided.
Solicitor General Tushar Menta Says “It’s better…”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the apex court that the CBI would take over the investigation and assured that administrative action would be taken today.
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of Twisha Sharma’s case after a media report raised questions about institutional bias in the investigation, including allegations that a fair investigation was denied because the accused is a lawyer and his mother is a former district judge.
The case is titled “In Re: Alleged Institutional Bias and Procedural Irregularities in the Unnatural Death of a Young Woman in the Matrimonial Home.”
Mehta, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, informed the court that Twisha’s mother-in-law started appearing on television channels and making statements defaming the victim, triggering media coverage.
He said that due to media intervention, the case had made significant progress.
According to him, the case was a message to all parents that it is better to have a divorced daughter than to face such an unfortunate incident.
The Solicitor General said the second post-mortem on Twisha’s body was conducted on Sunday by a team from AIIMS-Bhopal as per the directions of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for the accused, expressed concern over the media coverage and said that the entire statement of Section 164 CrPC (before the judge) was published in the newspapers.
The Supreme Court took note of the Solicitor General’s statement that he would take up the matter with the authorities to ensure that the CBI takes over the investigation immediately.
Read also | Twisha was on a ‘schizophrenic drug’: Mother-in-law denies dowry claim
The court asked both the victim and the families of the accused to refrain from making public or media statements and instead present their versions to the investigating agency to ensure that the ongoing investigation is not biased or adversely affected.
“We also ask the media to avoid recording the statements of persons who may be potential witnesses, as this may unnecessarily influence the outcome of some issues to be investigated,” it said.
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“We also request the public to refrain from speculation and have faith and trust in one of the premier investigating agencies. We are confident that it will bring the investigation to a conclusion in due course,” the bench said while disposing of the case suo motu.
(With input from agencies)
