The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday reserved its order on the regular bail plea of former judicial officer Giribala Singh, who is in custody in the case concerning the death of her daughter-in-law, Twisha Sharma. Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari heard arguments from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), counsel representing Twisha’s father and Giribala Singh’s defence before reserving the order.

The Court questioned her ’s calls to influential persons known to her in the judiciary and civil administration soon after Twisha Sharma’s death, asking why she had contacted people who were not directly connected with the case.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Aggarwal, appearing for Twisha’s father, opposed bail, arguing that Giribala Singh had the propensity to influence the course of the investigation. Referring to the calls, he submitted that the investigative and judicial processes needed protection from being subverted. He also alleged that Twisha had been subjected to character assassination over her past relationships and referred to WhatsApp chats and statements containing alleged abusive remarks. He further pointed to chats concerning Twisha’s reluctance to conceive, including material suggesting that her husband, Samarth Singh, was using illicit drugs.

Additional Solicitor General Sunil Jain, appearing for the CBI, argued that Giribala Singh had been instrumental in instigating cruelty and suicide. He submitted that although she was a silent spectator, she had instigated the events leading to Sharma’s death. He also contended that Sharma had been subjected to cruelty over dowry demands and character assassination, and submitted that Singh had not been exonerated of the dowry-death allegation as the investigation into that aspect remained ongoing.

Opposing these allegations, Senior Advocate Siddharth Agarwal, appearing for Giribala Singh, argued that she had neither subjected Sharma to cruelty nor abetted her suicide. He submitted that Giribala Singh was upset over Sharma’s decision to terminate her pregnancy, but that her reaction did not establish an intention to drive her to suicide. Referring to chats in which she allegedly called Twisha a “murderer”, counsel said the remark was made in the heat of the moment and that Singh later apologised. He also argued that the chats appeared to point towards Samarth’s conduct as a possible reason for Sharma’s distress.

The defence further submitted that Twisha was not confined and had intended to move to Delhi, where she had applied for a job. Counsel also questioned the allegation of non-cooperation over voice samples, stating that Singh had provided a sample on July 9 pursuant to a magistrate’s order and declined to provide another the following day because the order did not require multiple recordings.

On being questioned about the calls to certain people, the defence argued that Giribala Singh was attempting to convince people in authority that she had not committed murder. Counsel also said that she had contacted the owner and technician of a CCTV system installed at her house, in the presence of police, to retrieve footage that could establish her innocence. The defence maintained that there was no material showing that she had attempted to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.

Seeking bail, counsel pointed out that Giribala Singh had been in custody for five months, was 65 years old and was unlikely to abscond or influence witnesses. He also argued that the CBI had filed its chargesheet, although extraction of data from Sharma’s iPhone remained pending.

Background of the Case

Twisha Sharma was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12, 2026, around five months after her marriage to Samarth Singh. The CBI has charge-sheeted Giribala Singh and her son under Sections 85 (cruelty) and 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation into the dowry-death allegations remains ongoing. The Supreme Court had stayed the trial while considering a plea by Twisha Sharma’s father seeking transfer of the proceedings.