Twisha Sharma death: Supreme Court stays trial, orders expeditious decision on bail pleas of accused

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the trial proceedings in the alleged dowry death case of Twisha Sharma, a woman who was married to a lawyer in Bhopal.

A bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order while issuing notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a petition moved by the victim's father for transfer of the trial to Delhi.

"While trial proceedings on merits shall remain stayed, the bail applications filed by respondent 2 and 3 to be decided within two weeks," the Court ordered.

Noida-based Twisha Sharma had married Bhopal-based lawyer Samarth Singh after the two met through a dating app. Barely five months into the marriage, Sharma was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12.

Her family accused her husband and in-laws of subjecting her to persistent domestic violence and harassment over dowry demands, leading to the registration of an FIR at Katara Hills police station under various provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Dowry Prohibition Act.

Twisha’s mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, former President of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Madhya Pradesh, was soon granted anticipatory bail by a sessions court.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court later cancelled the relief after the State government and the victim's family challenged the order.

The High Court then also ordered a second post-mortem of Sharma’s body by a team of doctors from AIIMS Delhi after her family sought a fresh examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.

The CBI later arrested Giribala Singh and Samarth Singh. After their period of CBI custody ended on June 2, a Bhopal court remanded both accused to judicial custody. Their bail petitions are currently pending.

Senior Advocates Siddharth Agarwal and Siddharth Luthra appeared for the petitioner.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave represented the accused.