Key facts
- India's federal police have charged Twisha Sharma's husband, Samarth Singh, and mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, with "abetment to suicide" and "cruelty".
- Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old model and actor, died on May 12, five months after her wedding.
- Sharma's family alleges dowry demands and murder, while Giribala Singh claims Twisha had mental health issues and committed suicide.
- The CBI's chargesheet states Twisha was subjected to mental cruelty and instigated by her mother-in-law.
- The family also alleges Twisha was forced to undergo an abortion after her character was questioned.
India's federal police have filed charges against the husband and mother-in-law of a 33-year-old model and actor who was found dead in her matrimonial home five months after her wedding. Twisha Sharma's death on May 12 in Bhopal sparked a media frenzy, with her family alleging dowry harassment and murder, while her husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh, a retired judge, denied the accusations.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charged Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh with "abetment to suicide" and "cruelty" in a 600-page chargesheet. The CBI stated that Twisha was subjected to continuous mental cruelty by the accused, leaving her with no option but to end her life, and that Giribala Singh instigated her son to commit cruelty against Twisha.
Twisha's family lawyer, Ankur Pandey, noted that the CBI's invocation of abetment to suicide sections implies the investigation considers the death an alleged suicide. The CBI has sought court permission for further investigation, which could lead to additional charges.
Giribala Singh's lawyer, Inosh George Carlo, stated that the investigation found no evidence of the earlier allegations of dowry harassment and murder. He criticized the media for not listening to their side of the story.
According to Twisha's family, a major point of contention arose in April after she became pregnant. They allege her husband and mother-in-law questioned her character and forced her to undergo an abortion in early May. Giribala Singh denied this, claiming Twisha insisted on the abortion.
Giribala Singh faced public outrage for addressing a press conference and giving interviews discussing her daughter-in-law's mental health and character, which Twisha's father called an attempt to tarnish her name.