A new controversy has surfaced in the death investigation of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma after Bhopal Police urged her family to take custody of her body, warning that prolonged storage could lead to decomposition while legal proceedings over a second post-mortem continue.
The development has added urgency to the already sensitive case involving allegations of dowry harassment, suspicious injuries and demands for an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to police officials, the body has remained preserved in the mortuary at AIIMS Bhopal since the first autopsy was conducted on May 13. Authorities said the facility does not have advanced ultra-low temperature preservation systems required for long-term storage.
In a communication sent to Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, the Katara Hills police station reportedly stated that while there was no objection to a second post-mortem examination, keeping the body in storage for an extended period could result in deterioration of remains.
Twisha’s family has moved court seeking permission for a fresh autopsy, claiming they have doubts regarding the conclusions of the initial medical examination. Family members allege that delays in approving the second post-mortem could affect critical forensic evidence linked to the case.
“Our primary demand is that a second post-mortem must be conducted as soon as possible. They want the body to decompose and delay the process, hoping we will lose hope and leave,” her father said while demanding a wider and independent investigation.
The family has also requested that the probe be transferred outside Madhya Pradesh and monitored under the supervision of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of India.
According to the first post-mortem report prepared by AIIMS Bhopal doctors, the cause of death was recorded as “antemortem hanging by ligature,” suggesting death by hanging while the victim was alive. Police said Twisha was found hanging on the terrace of her residence in Bhopal on the night of May 12 and was declared dead shortly after midnight.
The autopsy reportedly documented ligature marks around her neck along with signs associated with asphyxia. However, the report also mentioned several blunt-force injuries on different parts of her body, including bruises and abrasions on the neck, arms, wrist and scalp.
Though doctors described the injuries as non-fatal, the family claims the findings raise serious questions and strengthen allegations of physical abuse and harassment before her death.
Another issue highlighted by the family is that the alleged ligature material was reportedly not presented before forensic experts during the autopsy, preventing a scientific comparison between the object and the injuries found on the neck.
Following the incident, police registered a dowry harassment case against Twisha’s husband, Samarth Singh, and her mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh, under dowry-related legal provisions and the Dowry Prohibition Act.
Investigators have constituted a Special Investigation Team to examine the case, while Twisha’s husband is reportedly absconding.
As legal proceedings continue, concerns are growing over the preservation of forensic evidence, with the family insisting that the outcome of the second post-mortem could play a decisive role in uncovering the full circumstances behind Twisha Sharma’s death.
