Why Supreme Court Took Over Twisha Sharma Death Case - EXPLAINED

Twisha Sharma Death Case: The Supreme Court on Monday (May 25) explained what prompted it to take suo motu cognisance of the Twisha Sharma case, while urging both the deceased woman's family and the accused, her husband Samarth Singh and former judge mother-in-law, to avoid making public comments that could influence the ongoing investigation into her death in Bhopal.A bench led by Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi observed that a narrative was being created that the judiciary would not permit a fair investigation or trial because one of the accused, Samarth Singh, belongs to the legal fraternity, and the mother-in-law is a former judicial officer, PTI news agency reported. The Court stressed that this perception had caused concern and was one of the reasons

behind initiating the suo motu proceedings.

To Dispel Painted Perception...

"We are slightly pained at... don't go for the statements of the victim's family or the other family. Otherwise, one section is saying the judiciary is not allowing a fair trial. We do not doubt our state agencies or the CBI, either. It is only because this kind of narrative is being created. We will ensure whatever unfortunate incident has taken place is fairly and impartially investigated," the CJI observed.The Bench clarified that it initiated the suo motu action specifically to dispel this "pained" perception and to ensure that the investigation remains impartial and beyond reproach.During the hearing, the Court urged both sides to place their versions before the investigating agency instead of speaking through media platforms."Whatever statement you want to make, go make it to the investigating agency instead of reducing their pain into sound bites," the Court said orally.

Supreme Court Urges Accused to Refrain From Making Public Statements

The apex court further urged Twisha's husband, Samarth Singh and her mother-in-law, a former judge, to refrain from making public statements on the ongoing investigation into Twisha Sharma's death in her matrimonial home in Katara Hills, Bhopal.The Court also requested media organisations to avoid recording statements of persons who may become potential witnesses or accused in the case so that no prejudice is caused to the ongoing investigation."We would like to impress upon the family members of the victim that instead of making statements in public or media platforms, they should get their version recorded before the investigating agency so that no prejudice or adverse impact is caused on the ongoing investigation," the Court observed in its order.

CBI To Take Over Twisha Sharma Case

During the hearing, the Madhya Pradesh government informed the Court that the probe would be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Court also noted that several developments had taken place since the Court initiated proceedings, including the Madhya Pradesh High Court directing a second post-mortem examination "to bolster the confidence of citizens" in the investigation. The Court also expressed satisfaction after noticing that, following the second post-mortem, the body of the victim had been cremated.The Court further said that the general public should also refrain from speculation and maintain faith in the premier investigating agency that would carry the probe to its logical conclusion.In another development in the matter, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday fixed May 27 at 2:30 PM for hearing pleas filed by Twisha Sharma's father and the Madhya Pradesh government challenging the anticipatory bail granted to Twisha's mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, in the unnatural death case.A single-judge bench of Justice Devnarayan Mishra also issued notice to Giribala Singh, seeking her response to the pleas moved by the victim's father and the State government.