Madhya Pradesh govt to challenge bail to Twisha Sharma's mother-in-law

The hearing comes on the same day the state government recommended a CBI probe into Twisha Sharma's death and gave its consent to transfer the investigation to the premier central agency.

In Short

• Solicitor General set to argue before Hgh Court today
• Twisha's family opposes Samarth Singh's bail plea
• Twisha's family cites WhatsApp chats, alleges mental & physical harassment

The Madhya Pradesh government has challenged the anticipatory bail granted to Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma, the 33-year-old who was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal on May 12.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta is scheduled to appear before the high court at 2:30 pm today to argue the matter on behalf of the state government.

The hearing comes on the same day the state government recommended a CBI probe into her death and gave its consent to transfer the investigation to the premier central agency.

TWISHA'S FAMILY MOVES HC

Meanwhile, Twisha's family has also moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court to oppose the anticipatory bail plea of her husband, Samarth Singh. The court will hear the matter on Saturday. The Bhopal district court had earlier rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

Their lawyer, Ankur Pandey, cited WhatsApp chats between Twisha and her mother-in-law as evidence of ill-treatment. "The WhatsApp chats show that Twisha was being subjected to mental and physical harassment," he said.

Pandey has also questioned the quick grant of anticipatory bail to Giribala Singh, saying it was issued within hours of the FIR being registered. "The hurried grant of anticipatory bail indicates that Giribala Singh misused her position," he alleged.

The family is also likely to demand a re-postmortem of Twisha's body.

MOTHER-IN-LAW SET TO LOSE JOB

Singh faces further trouble as proceedings have begun to remove her from the post of president of the Bhopal District Consumer Commission.

The Madhya Pradesh government has initiated correspondence regarding her appointment and a possible resignation from the post.

The consumer forum functions under the Food and Civil Supplies Department, and in serious cases, action can include resignation or removal from office.

SAMARTH STILL ABSCONDING

A lookout notice has been issued against Twisha's husband, who has been on the run since her death. Police teams have fanned out across Madhya Pradesh and other states to trace him.

Police have also announced a reward of Rs 30,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Acknowledging the delay in the arrest, Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said that lesser offenders (like Samarth) can sometimes evade arrest for longer periods. However, he expressed confidence that Samarth would soon be taken into custody.

CASE RECAP

Twisha was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal's Katara Hills area on May 12. Her family accused her in-laws of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide, while the Singh family claimed she was addicted to drugs.

While the post-mortem report concluded that 33-year-old Twisha died by suicide, her family has refused to accept it, alleging foul play.

Police have registered an FIR under Sections 80(2), 85 and 3(5) of the BNS, along with provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act, against the mother-son duo.

- Ends