CBI chargesheet: Twisha faced ‘sustained psychological harm’ from husband, mother-in-law

Former actor-model Twisha Sharma died by suicide in May after allegedly facing sustained psychological harassment from her husband, Samarth Singh, and mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, a former district judge, according to a charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Twisha, 33, was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal on May 12, around five months after marrying Samarth, who is a lawyer. The CBI’s nearly 600-page charge sheet, filed before a special court in Bhopal on August 14, accuses Samarth and Giribala of causing “sustained psychological harm” and charges them with abetment to suicide.

The agency has also kept its investigation open into allegations involving dowry demands and dowry death.

According to the charge sheet, the CBI found that the accused allegedly committed offences under Sections 85, 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to cruelty or harassment by a husband or his family, abetment of suicide and common intention.

Twisha, a former Miss Pune, had reportedly spoken to her sister-in-law and parents about Samarth’s alleged aggressive and violent behaviour, the CBI said. Investigators said the accused found her hanging from a gym belt at around 10.23 pm on May 12.

Shortly before her death, at around 9.20 pm, Twisha allegedly messaged her sister-in-law, asking her to tell Samarth to collect her belongings the next day and saying she wanted to “die in peace right now.”

Second autopsy confirmed hanging

Samarth had reportedly taken Twisha to AIIMS Bhopal, claiming she had hanged herself at home. Doctors informed police that she was brought to the hospital dead.

After the initial police investigation, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered a second autopsy following concerns raised by Twisha’s family over the first post-mortem conducted at AIIMS Bhopal.

A four-member team from AIIMS Delhi conducted the second autopsy and confirmed that Twisha died from ante-mortem hanging.

The CBI subsequently took over the investigation and arrested Samarth and Giribala.

CBI cites psychological distress

A forensic psychological assessment of Twisha’s diaries, chats and CCTV footage indicated that she had experienced “hopelessness, sustained psychological harm and absence of support”, according to the charge sheet.

The agency cited messages in which Twisha allegedly spoke about character assassination, questions over the paternity of her pregnancy following an abortion and pressure to transfer ₹20 lakh from her mutual funds into a joint account for investment in Chinese markets.

The charge sheet said Twisha told her sister-in-law Rashi Abrol on May 9 that Samarth had “crossed all the limits” and had questioned whether the child was his.

The CBI has sent Twisha’s iPhone and digital video recorder data to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory and Directorate of Forensic Science Services in New Delhi for further examination.

According to the charge sheet, forensic analysis of the devices could uncover additional material relevant to the case against the accused.