THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Bhopal, May 28: Former judge Giribala Singh, mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma who was allegedly found hanging at her matrimonial home earlier this month, was arrested by the CBI on Thursday in Bhopal.
CBI officials reached Giribala Singh’s residence around 10.30 am and questioned her for several hours before formally arresting her at about 5.10 pm.
During the investigation, the CBI also carried out a forensic examination of the residence using a high-intensity 3D camera. Officials recorded the entire premises and scanned nearby locations to assess whether the alleged incident spot was visible from neighbouring terraces or balconies.
Charged under dowry death and harassment provisions
Giribala Singh has been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 80(2) for dowry death, Section 85 for cruelty to a woman by husband or relatives, and Section 3(5) relating to acts done with common intention.
She has also been charged under Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
The arrest came a day after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled her anticipatory bail and set aside the relief earlier granted by the 10th Additional Sessions Judge in Bhopal on May 15.
High Court cites injuries, harassment allegations
Advocate General of Madhya Pradesh Prashant Singh said the High Court took serious note of several aspects of the case.
“The High Court has taken serious note of certain observations in the case, like seven antemortem injuries on the body of Twisha Sharma, indicating towards a serious crime, non-cooperation by Giribala Singh despite several notices and WhatsApp chats indicating mental harassment of Twisha Sharma,” he said.
“Looking at all this, the High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail of Giribala Singh. Now, it is up to the CBI to decide whether or not a custodial interrogation needs to be done,” he added.
During the hearing, lawyers representing Twisha Sharma’s family argued that she was allegedly subjected to mental harassment and was “badly stuck” in her matrimonial home.
The High Court observed that statements recorded from Twisha’s parents and relatives consistently alleged harassment by both Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh from the beginning of the investigation.
Court raises concerns over possible evidence tampering
The High Court also took serious note of allegations that Giribala Singh, a retired judicial officer trained in cyber crime, cyber forensics and crime scene management, may have used her expertise to tamper with evidence and influence the investigation.
Last week, Samarth Singh — Giribala Singh’s son and Twisha Sharma’s husband — surrendered before a court after reportedly remaining absconding for 10 days.
Both Giribala Singh and her lawyer son Samarth Singh are facing charges related to dowry harassment.
CBI takes over probe
The CBI formally took over the investigation into Twisha Sharma’s May 12 death earlier this week and re-registered the FIR initially lodged by Madhya Pradesh Police.
According to the CBI FIR, Giribala Singh allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh from Twisha Sharma’s family at the time of vidai, which was paid by the victim’s family.