Investigation Continues into Twisha Sharma's Death in Bhopal

The Police Commissioner of Bhopal, Sanjay Kumar, announced on Wednesday that Twisha Sharma’s death was determined to be a case of suicide, as indicated in the post-mortem report, which identified hanging as the cause. This statement follows claims from Twisha’s relatives who alleged that she was enduring significant distress within her marital home and had expressed a desire to return to Noida.

Commissioner Kumar reiterated that the investigation would primarily focus on understanding the circumstances leading to her tragic decision. On May 12, Twisha was discovered hanging at her in-laws’ residence in Bhopal. In the wake of her death, her family accused her husband, Samarth Singh, and his relatives of prolonged emotional and physical abuse related to dowry.

Twisha married Samarth Singh, the son of a retired sessions judge, in December 2025 after meeting through a dating application in the previous year. Since her death, Singh has been on the run for over a week. Concerns have arisen regarding the influence of his family, as her father alleged that they were leveraging their legal background to evade justice.

The Police Commissioner dismissed these claims of external pressure, stating that law enforcement is conducting the investigation independently and promptly. Notably, while standard procedures allow for a month to register a first information report (FIR), the police acted swiftly, registering it within two days following the incident.

An issue surrounding the forensic examination has emerged, wherein the ligature material reportedly used in the hanging was sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for analysis after the post-mortem. Commissioner Kumar confirmed that a separate inquiry is underway to scrutinise this procedural matter but added that the forensic findings aligned with the autopsy results.

He further indicated that the police would welcome a request from Twisha's family for a second post-mortem. Meanwhile, several police teams are actively engaged in efforts to locate Singh. Although the delay in his arrest has been acknowledged, Kumar expressed optimism regarding Singh’s eventual apprehension.

As the investigation unfolds, Twisha Sharma's case remains a focal point in discussions surrounding dowry harassment and the broader societal implications of marital abuse. The Bhopal police continue to assert that the evidence strongly supports the finding of suicide.

In a related development, a Bhopal court has mandated the preservation of Twisha Sharma’s body, following the family’s request after they alleged irregularities in the initial investigation. The court rejected their appeal for a second autopsy while instructing authorities to ensure the body is stored at low temperatures to prevent decomposition.

Twisha was found at her home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area. Since the autopsy, her body has been held at the AIIMS Bhopal mortuary. Her family has sought a second examination at AIIMS Delhi amid concerns over possible biases within the local investigation team, given familial connections to local legal professionals. Authorities mentioned that long-term preservation of the body requires specialized facilities that are currently unavailable at AIIMS Bhopal.

Police investigators have charged Samarth Singh and his mother, Giribala Singh, with offences related to dowry harassment and death. A reward has been offered for information leading to Samarth’s capture, who is currently evading authorities.