New Delhi, October 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the ongoing trial before a Bhopal court in the death case of former model and actress Twisha Sharma and issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), her husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh on a plea seeking transfer of the proceedings outside Madhya Pradesh, preferably to Delhi.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order on a transfer petition filed by Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, who has expressed apprehension that his daughter’s case may not receive a fair trial in Madhya Pradesh.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Abhijeet Sinha submitted that Giribala Singh, a retired judge, was an influential figure in Bhopal, raising concerns about the fairness of the proceedings in the state. Sinha also informed the court that certain material supporting the transfer plea had been submitted in a sealed cover.
The petition seeks the transfer of the criminal proceedings to a competent court in Delhi, citing concerns about the initial investigation, the handling of bail proceedings and the possibility of a fair trial in Bhopal. Navnidhi Sharma, who is settled in the Delhi-NCR region, has argued that the case could appropriately be heard in the national capital.
The trial before the Bhopal Sessions Court has reached the stage of arguments on the framing of charges.
Twisha died at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12, 2026, around five months after her marriage. Her husband, advocate Samarth Singh, and mother-in-law, retired Principal District and Sessions Judge Giribala Singh, are accused in the case.
In his petition, Navnidhi Sharma has raised questions about the handling of Giribala Singh’s bail applications. He alleged that five courts dealt with the matter over five days and that three judges returned the file or recused themselves for different reasons.
The plea has also questioned aspects of the initial investigation, including the sealing of the terrace where Twisha died, the handling of ligature material during the first post-mortem examination and the alleged collection of CCTV footage by Giribala Singh.
The petitioner has further referred to alleged incidents involving Twisha’s brother, a serving Army officer, at the Bhopal court premises on May 15, and the family’s counsel at the Jabalpur district court on May 22.
The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the case on May 25, following which the CBI took over the investigation. On August 14, the agency filed a 636-page charge sheet against the two accused, alleging offences involving cruelty, abetment of suicide and common intention under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The dowry-related aspect of the case remains under further investigation, according to the information presented in the matter.
Seeking the transfer of the trial to Delhi, the petitioner has also cited the CBI investigation being conducted from the national capital, a second post-mortem examination by an AIIMS New Delhi medical board, forensic reports issued by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Delhi, and the presence of the investigating officer and several witnesses in the National Capital Region.
The Supreme Court’s order staying the ongoing trial will remain significant as it considers the plea for transferring the proceedings to Delhi.
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