The Supreme Court of India on Friday issued a stay on the ongoing trial concerning the death of former model and actor Twisha Sharma in Bhopal. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed that proceedings be paused, as it considered a petition filed by the victim’s father, Navnidhi Sharma. In addition to the stay, the court issued formal notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as well as the primary accused in the case, Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh, regarding a plea to transfer the trial from Bhopal to Delhi.
Twisha Sharma, aged 33, was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12, 2026. Following her death, she was transported to AIIMS Bhopal by her husband, where she was declared deceased. The case, which has drawn significant attention, involves allegations of severe domestic discord. Her family has consistently alleged that she endured persistent mental and physical harassment following her marriage to Samarth Singh on December 9, 2025. Conversely, the family of the accused has maintained that the victim suffered from drug addiction.
The legal trajectory of the case has been complex. The Supreme Court had previously taken suo motu cognisance of the matter in May amid widespread concerns over the integrity of the initial investigation conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Police. Consequently, the probe was handed over to the CBI. During the initial phases of the investigation, the Bhopal trial court granted anticipatory bail to Giribala Singh on May 15. This decision was later challenged by the victim's parents and the Madhya Pradesh government, leading to the high court setting aside the bail order on May 27.
The CBI has since filed a formal chargesheet against Samarth Singh and his mother, Giribala Singh. The charges include allegations of cruelty, dowry harassment, and abetment to suicide under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically including sections 80(2), 85, 108, and 3(5), alongside sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. While the agency dropped the specific charge of dowry death against Giribala Singh, it invoked section 108 of the BNS, alleging that she facilitated the suicide through sustained taunting and harassment.
The transfer petition filed by Navnidhi Sharma specifically cites concerns that a fair trial might not be possible in Bhopal, partly due to the influence attributed to the accused’s mother, who is a retired district judge. During previous hearings, the Supreme Court had noted allegations that the local judiciary might be attempting to shield the accused, prompting the bench to emphasize its commitment to ensuring an independent and impartial investigation by the central agency.
As of October 10, the legal proceedings in Bhopal had progressed to the stage of arguments regarding the framing of charges. With the Supreme Court’s intervention, these proceedings remain on hold pending further deliberation on the transfer request. The involvement of the Delhi-NCR based father underscores the broader debate regarding the venue of trials in sensitive cases involving individuals with connections to the local legal establishment.
The court will now wait for responses from the CBI and the accused individuals before determining whether the trial will remain in Madhya Pradesh or be moved to a court in Delhi. This development marks another significant turn in a case that has been monitored closely by the judiciary since the initial police investigation was deemed insufficient in the wake of the victim's death earlier this year.
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