Twisha Sharma Death Case Handed to CBI Amid Allegations of Evidence Tampering

The Madhya Pradesh government has handed the investigation into model and actor Twisha Sharma’s death to the Central Bureau of Investigation, after sustained allegations of faulty policing, missing evidence and pressure from the accused family. Officials confirmed that the CBI will now examine the suspected dowry death case, all forensic materials, and digital records gathered so far by state agencies.

Twisha, 33, was found dead on May 12 at her marital home in Bag Mugalia Extension, Katara Hills, less than six months after marrying Samarth Singh, son of retired district judge Giribala Singh. The case has drawn national attention, with intense debate over whether the evidence supports suicide, murder, or a staged crime scene.

Twisha Sharma case CBI investigation: transfer order and legal provisions

In a formal notification, the Madhya Pradesh Home Department said that the First Information Report registered at Katara Hills Police Station will now fall under CBI jurisdiction. The FIR lists Sections 80(2), 85 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which cover domestic violence, cruelty within marriage and dowry death, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

The state government stated that powers under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, had been invoked. This consent extends the authority of Delhi Special Police Establishment officers across Madhya Pradesh, allowing them to probe not just the main case but also linked offences and any possible wider network.

The notification also records approval for investigation into "related offences, abetment and/or criminal conspiracy" tied to the death of Twisha Sharma. This means the federal agency can look beyond immediate events on May 12 and examine conduct before and after the incident, including alleged cover-up attempts and suspected collusion.

Twisha Sharma case CBI investigation: postmortem dispute and family allegations

The postmortem at AIIMS Bhopal concluded that the cause of death was "asphyxia due to antemortem hanging by ligature," which led local investigators to initially lean towards a suicide theory. Twisha’s relatives, however, have repeatedly asserted that the death was homicidal, arguing that the medical findings and physical evidence do not support self-harm.

Family members have alleged tampering at the scene and claimed that crucial objects, including the ligature material, were not seized promptly. They told the court that the house remained under the effective control of the accused family for nearly two days, which, they argued, gave enough time for removal or alteration of evidence.

Twisha’s family has also demanded a second postmortem at AIIMS Delhi, saying an independent team outside Madhya Pradesh is necessary. Their petitions before the court questioned the handling of the body, the quality of photographic documentation and the delay in preserving items that could hold DNA or fibre traces.

Twisha Sharma case CBI investigation: digital evidence and police stance

The dispute widened in recent weeks as electronic material, including alleged CCTV footage, call detail records, WhatsApp chats and audio clips, began circulating in the public domain. Lawyers for different sides clashed over which files were authentic, how they had been obtained, and whether selective leaks were influencing public opinion and court proceedings.

Before the case moved to the CBI, Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar told reporters that findings until then "points towards suicide and not murder," even as top officers conceded faults during the early investigation. The police leadership promised a departmental inquiry into lapses involving local personnel, especially regarding scene security and evidence collection.

The state government’s shift followed a meeting between Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and members of Twisha’s family earlier this week. After that interaction, Mohan Yadav announced that the administration would request a CBI inquiry, a move that several opposition leaders and women’s groups had also been demanding.

Twisha Sharma case CBI investigation: scope of federal probe and case timeline

The CBI is now expected to obtain the complete case diary from the Special Investigation Team formed by Madhya Pradesh Police. This handover will include medical reports, forensic test results, electronic storage devices, call data records, and any statements already recorded from family members, neighbours and officials.

Investigators will also review the period between Twisha’s marriage and death to assess possible dowry-related harassment and domestic cruelty. The couple’s wedding took place less than six months before May 12, a detail that places the case firmly within legal provisions on dowry deaths within seven years of marriage.

Given the high-profile nature of the accused family, scrutiny is expected over whether any attempt was made to influence local police or medical staff. The notification’s specific mention of abetment and conspiracy allows the CBI to examine such alleged interference as part of the broader criminal investigation.

Twisha Sharma case CBI investigation: key legal sections and allegations

The following table summarises the main legal provisions and allegations referred to in connection with the death of Twisha Sharma and the transfer of the case to the CBI:

Twisha Sharma case CBI investigation: public scrutiny and media coverage

The transfer to the CBI caps days of intense legal argument in courts over forensic interpretation and digital trails related to the death. Lawyers for different parties have contested how electronic chats, video clips and call logs should be read, and whether they indicate distress, coercion or post-facto editing.

The case has also become one of the most watched criminal matters in Madhya Pradesh, with frequent televised debates and social media commentary. Questions over fairness arise because the accused belong to a judicial family, while supporters of the family argue that the suicide finding is being overlooked due to public pressure.

As the CBI begins its work, the focus will likely shift to whether any new forensic tests are ordered and whether fresh witness statements are recorded. The agency’s assessment of earlier lapses by local police, including access to the house in the first 48 hours, will be central to the credibility of the final report.