Pained by narrative that judiciary was shielding accused: Supreme Court on Twisha Sharma death

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed anguish over allegations that judiciary was shielding the accused in the Twisha Sharma death case because it involved allegations against a former district judge and a lawyer.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi, and Vipul M Pancholi was hearing a suo motu case initiated in the matter.

"We are slightly pained. We request media not take statements of friends or relatives etc. the mother in law is a former district judge and it is unfortunate that it is being said judiciary is derailing the trial... We request media not to record statements of witnesses and make it into sound bytes. This is an unfortunate incident," CJI Kant said today.

In its ensuing order, the Court urged the media to avoid taking statements from persons who are likely to be witnesses in the case.

"We would like to impress upon family of the victim that instead of making statements in public or before the media, they should get their versions recorded before the investigating agency so that no prejudice or adverse impact is caused to the ongoing investigation. We also request the media to avoid recording statements of persons who are likely to be potential witnesses," the Court said.

The Court emphasised that this is to avoid premature impressions about the case. A similar request was made to the general public as well.

"We request the general public to refrain from speculation and have trust and faith in the most premier investigating agency (CBI). It is clarified that we have not expressed any opinion on merits of allegations. It is upto investigating agency to look into all aspects," the Court said.

Noida-based Twisha Sharma, a former Miss Pune winner, had married Samarth Singh, a Bhopal-based lawyer, five months ago after meeting through a dating app.

Singh's family was well-connected to the judiciary. While Samarth Singh is a lawyer, his mother Giribala Singh - a retired judge - is currently President of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

Barely five months into her marriage, on May 12, 2026, Sharma was found hanging from a gymnastic rope in her house.

Twisha Sharma's family has blamed her in-laws for the death, accusing them of persistent domestic violence and harassment. They demanded a second post-mortem to ascertain the actual cause of Twisha's death.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Katara Hills police station to probe the death. According to media reports, Twisha Sharma's husband and mother-in-law have been booked for dowry harassment in the case.

The mother-in-law, Giribala Singh was granted anticipatory bail by a sessions court on May 15. Twisha's father, Navnidhi Sharma, has moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court to seek cancellation of the anticipatory bail granted to Giribala Singh.

Meanwhile, Samarth Singh's anticipatory bail was rejected on May 18. His bar license was suspended by the Bar Council of India on May 22.

The Supreme Court today said that it decided to initiate a suo motu case in the matter in view of concerns of bias in the investigation, since the prime accused in the case are a former district judge and a lawyer.

"A narrative was also created that a fair investigation was denied due to involvement of judiciary. That is why suo motu proceedings were initiated," the Court noted.

The Court further observed that, in the meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh High Court recently ordered a second postmortem examination in the case, which was conducted by a team from AIIMS.

It was also noted that the CBI has now taken over the probe, with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assuring that the Madhya Pradesh government will do the needful so that the central agency can promptly begin its investigation.

Hearing today

The hearing today began with the Court urging the media to refrain from taking statements about the case from persons associated with the case.

Notably, Twisha Sharma's mother-in-law, former district judge Giribala Singh, had earlier called a press meet in which she made several allegations in connection with the case. Sharma's family also later gave statements, disputing Singh's claims.

The Court called for media restraint in such matters.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, however, pointed out that the media's coverage of the case also helped in its progress.

"It is also because of this media intervention that a lot of progress has happened."

Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, meanwhile, submitted that a statement given to the police by the accused has now been published nin newspapers.

"I appear for the accused. My section 161 statement is in newspaper today," Dave said.

"We are against the narrative that is being created. That is why learned CBI should take it over. We believe the state police and judiciary," CJI Kant replied.

"This former judge has been giving interviews in some or other channel maligning the deceased. We requested her so many times to record her statement she does not want to do it. We were okay to go to her place also. But she is not cooperating," SG Tushar Mehta added.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra also appeared and flagged concerns about some shortcomings in the police investigation.

"There is failure to preserve evidence and 3 days delay in registering the FIR. Each day evidence will get lost...The mother in law is producing her own CDR etc. that cannot be done," he said.

The Court, however, was reluctant to go into the details of the investigation now that the CBI has taken over the same.

"We hope that this is all not in media now. We will not take notice of any of this. It is unfortunate you want us to look into this. Fair trial has been ensured now. Now CBI is probing," the Court said.

SG Mehta expressed a note of anguish over Sharma's death, alluding to the marital cruelty she is alleged to have faced.

"One thing is clear that girl has lost her life. Whether it's suicide or anything else... For parents, the moral is better to have a divorced daughter than a dead one. So many messages by her...'she is living in hell'", SG Mehta said.

The Court too expressed its sympathies.

"There is law and procedure has to be followed. We have our sympathies," said CJI Kant.

Justice Bagchi commented on the short span within with the events took place.

"But this happened in 6 months.. if it was being dragged on for two years or so.. yes. Reaction time also has to be seen," he said.

As the hearing drew to a close, Luthra urged the Court to keep open a plea made to transfer the case trial.

"Our order is without prejudice to rights of any parties. The witnesses who shall not give media statement also include any other potential accused as well," the Court replied.

[Live Coverage]