India's federal police, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has filed charges against the husband and mother-in-law of 33-year-old model and actor Twisha Sharma, who was found dead in her matrimonial home in Bhopal city on 12 May 2026, just five months after her wedding. The case has generated extraordinary media interest across India, with conflicting claims of murder and suicide dominating headlines daily.
Charges filed by CBI
In a 600-page chargesheet submitted in court last week, the CBI charged Twisha's husband Samarth Singh, a lawyer, and mother-in-law Giribala Singh, a retired judge, with "abetment to suicide" and "cruelty". Both have denied the allegations against them. Samarth initially could not be located but later surrendered to police, while Giribala was arrested a few days later. The mother and son remain in jail.
"Due to continuous mental cruelty at the hands of both the accused [Twisha's husband and mother-in-law], she was left with no option but to end her life," the CBI said in the chargesheet.
Family allegations and legal responses
Twisha's parents and siblings alleged that she was tortured by Singh and his mother over dowry demands and that she was murdered. Giribala called the accusations "baseless" and alleged that Twisha had mental health issues and that she killed herself.
Twisha's family lawyer Ankur Pandey told BBC Hindi that since the CBI has invoked sections related to abetment to suicide, "it means that the investigation has considered the death to be an alleged suicide". He said the CBI has sought permission from the court for further investigation, stating that "if new evidence emerges during the investigation, role of some more people can be investigated and, if needed, a supplementary chargesheet can be filed".
Giribala Singh's lawyer Inosh George Carlo told the BBC, "The investigation has found no evidence of the earlier allegations of dowry harassment and murder... We have been saying this from the beginning but the media never listened to us."
Background of the case
Twisha Sharma was a model and actor who was crowned Miss Pune in 2012 after winning a beauty pageant in the western Indian city. She had featured in a number of advertising campaigns and acted in a Telugu-language film. In recent years, she had also worked as a marketing professional with private firms.
According to the chargesheet, Twisha met Samarth through a dating app in February 2025 and the couple married in December. The CBI said its investigation showed that after their marriage, Samarth subjected Twisha to mental cruelty on several occasions and repeatedly used derogatory terms towards her. "Giribala Singh would from time to time instigate her son to commit mental cruelty on Twisha," it added.
Pregnancy and abortion allegations
According to Twisha's parental family, the biggest point of friction between her and her in-laws came in April after she became pregnant. They allege that "her husband and mother-in-law questioned her character and accused her of carrying someone else's baby" and "forced her to undergo an abortion in the first week of May". Giribala Singh denied the allegations, saying it was Twisha who insisted on the abortion, stating that she did not want children.
Days after Twisha's death, the former judge drew criticism for addressing a press conference and giving media interviews where she discussed her daughter-in-law's mental health and called her "liberal". When asked to explain the term by an interviewer, she spoke of "promiscuity". Her comments led to a huge outrage, and Twisha's father said it was an attempt to tarnish his daughter's name. The case has generated extraordinary interest in India because members of India's powerful judiciary are meant to lead by example in public perception.
