The death of actor-model Twisha Sharma continues to raise troubling questions nearly two weeks after she was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal.
Even as the Supreme Court of India prepares to hear the matter and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe appears imminent, several aspects of the investigation remain under intense scrutiny.
The Supreme Court has already referred to allegations of “institutional bias and procedural discrepancies” while taking suo motu cognisance of the case. From disputed forensic evidence to missing timelines and CCTV controversy, the case has increasingly become a flashpoint around questions of investigative transparency and public trust.
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Questions over alleged ligature material
One of the earliest controversies in the case involved the nylon exercise belt allegedly used in the hanging. According to court filings cited in media reports, Twisha Sharma’s family alleged that the material was not produced during the first postmortem examination and only surfaced later, triggering concerns that evidence may have been mishandled.
The controversy intensified after the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered a second autopsy by a medical team from AIIMS Delhi, stating that public confidence in the investigation needed to be protected.
CCTV footage remains under scrutiny
Digital evidence has emerged as another major point of conflict in the investigation.
Twisha’s family has alleged that the residence remained under the effective control of the accused family for nearly two days before crucial evidence was secured. They also questioned how CCTV footage from the house surfaced publicly if investigators had already seized the DVR system.
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At the same time, former district judge Giribala Singh reportedly claimed before a magistrate court that the CCTV system displayed incorrect timestamps due to technical faults and alleged that proper seizure procedures were not followed while copying the footage.
Investigators are now closely examining recordings from eight CCTV cameras reportedly installed inside the residence.
Delay in FIR registration raises concerns
Questions have also been raised about the timing of the FIR. Twisha Sharma died on May 12, but the FIR against her husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh was registered later following repeated allegations from her family.
Her family claims the delay may have allowed evidence to be compromised and influential individuals to interfere with the investigation. Police, however, have maintained that procedures were followed according to protocol.
WhatsApp chats and audio clips become key evidence
Leaked WhatsApp chats, audio clips and call detail records have also become central to the case.
Twisha’s family has cited conversations in which she allegedly expressed emotional distress regarding her marriage. An audio clip allegedly featuring Giribala Singh questioning Twisha’s character further intensified outrage online.
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Meanwhile, Samarth Singh has claimed in court that the circulating chats are “edited and incomplete.” The family has also sought preservation of call records, alleging that influential people were contacted after Twisha’s death and may have affected the investigation process.
Did her future plans contradict suicide theory?
Investigators are also examining whether Twisha Sharma’s activities before her death align with the suicide theory presented by the accused side.
Officials reportedly told investigators that she had planned to travel to Ajmer on May 15 to meet her brother, Major Harshit Sharma.
Her family argues that the existence of travel plans, along with alleged injury marks and recent conversations, raises further doubts over the circumstances surrounding her death.
Why did Samarth Singh disappear?
Another major question revolves around Samarth Singh’s disappearance after the incident. Police had issued a lookout notice and announced a cash reward before he eventually surrendered days later.
Investigators are now questioning him regarding the sequence of events on the night of May 12, communication records and alleged inconsistencies highlighted by Twisha’s family. He remains in police custody.
Did influence affect the investigation?
Perhaps the most politically sensitive question in the case concerns allegations of institutional influence.
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The Supreme Court’s suo motu intervention, repeated references to “institutional bias,” allegations regarding calls to influential individuals and the Madhya Pradesh government’s move seeking a CBI investigation have amplified public suspicion over whether the original probe may have been compromised.
The court has clarified that it has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations and that the investigation must proceed impartially.
But as the case moves toward a likely CBI takeover, the unanswered questions surrounding Twisha Sharma’s death continue to shape both public debate and legal scrutiny.
