The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted the Central Bureau of Investigation one week to file its reply to the bail plea submitted by Giribala Singh, former judge and mother of the accused, in the case concerning the death of Twisha Sharma. The bench comprising Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari acceded to the request made by counsel for the CBI and has scheduled the matter for hearing on September 21, 2026.
Twisha Sharma, aged 33, was found dead at her matrimonial residence in Bhopal on May 12, 2026. Following her death, a first information report was registered under Sections 80(2), 85, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to dowry death, cruelty, and common intention respectively. Additionally, charges were framed under Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, relating to the giving or taking of dowry and the demand for dowry.
In her bail application, Giribala Singh contends that medical records indicate the deceased was suffering from depression at the time of her death. She further asserts that the allegations of dowry harassment are unfounded, maintaining that no financial transactions exist to show that she received money from the deceased’s parents. On the contrary, the plea states that her son, Samarth Singh, transferred an amount of ₹7.5 lakhs into Twisha Sharma’s accounts.
The petition also highlights that Giribala Singh provided voice samples to investigators for a duration of three hours in July 2026, countering the prosecution’s claim that she was uncooperative during the investigation. Emphasising her age and former judicial status, the plea notes that she is 64 years of age and a retired member of the Higher Judiciary, and therefore no longer required for the purposes of investigation, warranting the grant of bail.
The father of the deceased has filed a formal objection to the grant of regular bail to Giribala Singh. The case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation following directions from the Supreme Court. Prior to this, on May 29, 2026, the Bhopal trial court had remanded Giribala Singh and her son to CBI custody for five days. Subsequently, on June 2, they were placed in judicial custody for a period of 14 days, which was further extended on June 16 for another 14 days.
Samarth Singh had sought anticipatory bail before the trial court, which was denied. He later approached the High Court but withdrew his petition with permission to surrender. Giribala Singh was initially granted anticipatory bail by the trial court on May 15, 2026, on the basis that the FIR and WhatsApp communications were directed against her son. However, the State and Twisha Sharma’s parents challenged this order, leading the Madhya Pradesh High Court to quash her anticipatory bail on May 27, 2026. Thereafter, the Bhopal Court extended her judicial custody on two occasions — first by order dated June 30, 2026, and again by order dated July 14, 2026.
The matter is currently listed as Giribala Singh v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCC 37723 of 2026, before the Jabalpur Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.