'Divorced Daughter Better Than A Dead One': SC Clears Way For CBI Probe In Twisha Death Case

The Supreme Court of India on Monday (May 25) heard the suo motu matter related to the death ofTwisha Sharma, with the Chief Justice strongly cautioning both sides against litigating the case through the media and expressing concern over statements being made publicly. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V M Pancholi, observed that the case should proceed strictly according to law and not through competing media narratives.During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state, alleged that the accused mother-in-law Giribala Singh was making public remarks against Twisha Sharma after her death.“The victim’s mother-in-law,Giribala Singh, committed character assassination of Twisha post

her death questioning Twisha Sharma's conduct, behaviour and personality,” Mehta submitted before the court, adding, “Giribala is not cooperating with probe but she is channel hopping and giving interviews to TV channels,”The Chief Justice then remarked, “We are slightly at pain because of some of the actions. We will request our media friends to not go for the statements of the victim’s family or the other family. Let the things move as per law and procedure.”The bench further made it clear that parties should refrain from making statements outside the legal process.

“Whatever statements parties, both parties have to make, make it before appropriate authorities, not before media. Both sides should not go before media,” the CJI observed.Earlier in the hearing, the court had expressed concern over narratives suggesting that the judiciary was obstructing a fair probe merely because one of the accused, Giribala Singh, is a former judge.The Supreme Court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of allegations relating to institutional bias and procedural discrepancies in the investigation based on “media reports and attending circumstances” surrounding the case.

The development comes amid mounting allegations by Twisha Sharma’s family over procedural lapses, destruction of evidence, alleged influence in the investigation and demands for an independent probe.Twisha Sharma, originally from Noida, was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area earlier this month. Her family has accused her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment and murder, while police have maintained that the investigation so far points towards suicide.