The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told the Supreme Court that there is every likelihood of former judge Giribala Singh influencing the trial proceedings and intimidating witnesses in the case relating to the death of former model and actress Twisha Sharma, supporting the plea seeking transfer of the trial from Bhopal to Delhi.
Source: IANS via Hi India
In its counter-affidavit filed before the apex court on October 29, the probe agency said Giribala Singh, a retired Principal District and Sessions Judge, and her son Samarth Singh, a practising advocate in Bhopal, are influential persons in the district and may influence the trial proceedings and intimidate witnesses, Live Law reported.
Source: Live Law
The counter-affidavit was filed in response to a transfer petition moved by Twisha's father, Navnidhi Sharma, seeking transfer of the criminal trial pending before the Court of the Tenth District and Sessions Judge, Bhopal, to a competent court in Delhi.
Twisha Sharma was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on the night of May 12, 2026, and was declared brought dead at AIIMS Bhopal. An FIR was registered at Katara Hills police station against her husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Dowry Prohibition Act, alleging cruelty and harassment over dowry. The allegations are yet to be proved in court.
The Madhya Pradesh government subsequently transferred the investigation to the CBI, which re-registered the case on May 25, 2026, following the Supreme Court's suo motu cognisance of the matter. The agency said it filed a chargesheet against the two accused on August 17, 2026, for offences under Sections 85, 108 and 3(5) of the BNS, while further investigation concerning dowry death and other aspects was continuing.
According to the CBI, the trial court had taken cognisance of the offences and the proceedings had reached the stage of arguments on framing of charges. The Supreme Court had earlier, on October 16, stayed the ongoing trial before the Bhopal court and issued notices to the CBI, Giribala Singh and Samarth Singh on the transfer petition.
On Friday, a Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana adjourned the hearing on the transfer plea for a week after counsel for the respondents sought additional time, ANI reported.
Source: ANI via LatestLY
What happens next: the Supreme Court will hear the transfer plea again after a week. The Bhopal trial remains stayed until further orders, so whether the case is tried in Madhya Pradesh or moved to Delhi will be decided by the apex court.