Twisha Sharma Dowry Death Case: Bhopal Court Rejects Bail Plea of Retired Judge Giribala Singh
A special CBI court in Bhopal has rejected the bail application of retired district judge Giribala Singh, one of the principal accused in the alleged dowry death of former model and actor Twisha Sharma. Holding that the allegations are grave and the investigation is still at a crucial stage, the court declined to grant her release, observing that the material collected so far and the seriousness of the charges did not justify bail.
Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12, 2026, barely months after her marriage. Her family alleged that she was subjected to persistent dowry harassment, mental and physical cruelty, and domestic violence by her husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh. Following these allegations, a case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to dowry death and cruelty, along with the Dowry Prohibition Act, and the investigation was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
While opposing the bail plea, the CBI argued that the investigation had yielded substantial material linking the accused to the alleged offences. The agency informed the court that it had collected witness statements, WhatsApp conversations, call detail records and other electronic evidence. It also expressed concern that releasing Giribala Singh at this stage could create a risk of influencing witnesses or interfering with the collection of evidence.
Accepting these submissions, the special court observed that the prosecution’s apprehension regarding possible interference with evidence could not be dismissed as unfounded. The court noted that the case diary contained material indicating the accused’s alleged involvement and that the accusations related to a serious offence carrying severe legal consequences. These factors weighed against granting bail during the ongoing investigation.
The latest order follows earlier developments in the case. Initially, a Bhopal sessions court had granted Giribala Singh anticipatory bail, but the Madhya Pradesh High Court subsequently cancelled that protection after finding that the trial court had not adequately considered key evidence, including witness statements, WhatsApp chats and medical material relating to the case. Following the cancellation of anticipatory bail, Giribala Singh was arrested and remanded to judicial custody along with her son, Samarth Singh.
The prosecution has maintained that Twisha Sharma endured sustained harassment over dowry demands and other matrimonial disputes before her death. The defence, on the other hand, has denied the allegations and contended that Giribala Singh has been falsely implicated. The merits of these rival claims will ultimately be determined during the trial after the completion of the investigation and recording of evidence.
The rejection of the bail plea underscores the cautious approach generally adopted by courts in dowry death cases, particularly where the investigation is ongoing and the prosecution alleges the possibility of witness influence or evidence tampering. The case continues to attract national attention because it involves a former judicial officer and raises broader concerns about dowry-related violence, accountability within influential families, and the protection of victims of domestic abuse.
