Twisha Sharma Case: In the case of Twisha Sharma's death, CBI has filed a 636-page charge sheet in the special court of Bhopal. The investigating agency has proceeded with the case against Twisha's husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh under the provisions of dowry-related charges and abetment to suicide. The most important thing in the case is that no evidence came to light in the CBI investigation to confirm the allegations of murder made by Twisha's family. Rather, based on the existing evidence, the agency has moved towards the conclusion of suicide, while dowry harassment and mental torture have been linked to her death.
What are the allegations against husband and mother-in-law?
CBI has filed the chargesheet under sections 80(2), 80(5), 3 and 108 of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). Along with this, Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act have also been included in the charge sheet. According to sources related to the investigation, the agency has leveled charges against Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh related to dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. Both are already accused in the case.
Twisha's father had alleged that his daughter was murdered and her body was later hanged to make her death look like suicide. The family had also raised many questions in the initial investigation, after which the investigation of the case was handed over to CBI.
What else was searched from WhatsApp chat?
During the investigation, CBI examined several digital evidences including Twisha's WhatsApp conversations, phone records and her last conversation with her mother shortly before her death. The agency had also obtained voice samples of Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh for forensic examination of technical evidence. Earlier, CBI had also investigated the people who came in contact with the accused and their activities after the incident.
According to sources, CBI investigation revealed indications of alleged harassment of Twisha by Samarth Singh. This tension is said to be related to the issue related to Twisha's unborn child. Investigators have linked the harassment to Twisha's extreme step of suicide. However, the final legal decision on these findings has to be taken by the court.
Why are dowry related clauses important?
Inclusion of sections of Dowry Prohibition Act in the charge sheet is an important aspect of this case. This indicates that while investigating the circumstances of Twisha's death, the CBI also kept the aspects of alleged dowry demands, cruelty and harassment under its ambit. After Twisha's death, a case was registered against her in-laws on dowry harassment charges.
CBI also investigated the activities of Twisha's mother-in-law and former district judge Giribala Singh after the incident. Investigators tried to find out who were contacted immediately after Twisha's death and what connection those contacts had with the case. According to sources, Giribala had made several calls after the incident. These also included conversations with the CCTV installer and the owner of the beauty salon where Twisha had gone before her death.
Why were questions raised regarding CCTV footage?
CCTV DVR and allegations related to it were also scrutinized in the investigation. According to sources, the agency examined evidence that allegedly indicated that parts of the CCTV footage were removed or edited and later presented in the media. The footage also showed Samarth Singh trying to give CPR to Twisha.
Twisha had gone to a beauty salon on the day of her death. Statements of people associated with the salon also became part of the investigation. According to the salon owner, the next day after Twisha's death, Giribala had called and asked for information about the time Twisha came to the salon, the services she availed and her behavior during that time. Earlier, citing the incident of going to the salon, Giribala had claimed that there was no tension of any kind between Twisha and Samarth at that time.
To whom did Giribala call?
CBI also investigated the call detail records of Giribala Singh. According to sources, after Twisha's death, 46 calls were made from her phone. These also included conversations with some senior officials associated with the Bhopal administration. These calls from Giribala were said to be related to condolences after Twisha's death.
Now in the charge sheet filed, CBI's stand appears to be different from the family's claim of murder. According to the agency, available evidence points towards suicide, while alleged dowry harassment and cruelty have been linked to the circumstances of death. With the filing of the 636-page charge sheet, CBI has placed the findings of its investigation before the court.