The Central Bureau of Investigation has re-registered the case against the deceased model's husband and her mother-in-law, a retired judge, following a delayed police medical report.

A district court in Bhopal is scheduled to hear two separate applications on Tuesday seeking the preservation of critical electronic evidence, including Call Detail Records (CDR) and CCTV footage, in connection with the death of former actress and model Twisha Sharma.

The hearing comes amid a massive escalation in the high-profile case, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officially taking over the probe and registering a fresh FIR against Twisha’s husband, Samarth Singh, and her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, who is a retired judge. The federal agency's FIR explicitly acknowledges severe allegations of physical harassment and monetary dowry demands.

Court Defers Initial Hearing

The matter was originally placed before the district court on Monday, but the proceedings had to be adjourned. The Bhopal Police failed to submit their required status report on time, prompting the court to grant additional time to the local investigators.

According to legal sources, advocate Ankur Pandey, representing Twisha’s grieving family, moved the plea to secure and freeze all relevant telecommunication logs. Interestingly, a separate application was moved on behalf of the accused mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, requesting the court to ensure that CCTV footage from around the residence is preserved. Both sides have stated that securing this data is vital to prevent tampering or technical data loss as the trial shapes up.

CBI Steps in Upgrading Case

The investigation shifted gears dramatically after a specialized CBI team arrived in Bhopal on Monday night. The agency formally took over the case docket from the Katara Hills police station, re-registering the FIR under stringent sections pertaining to dowry death and matrimonial cruelty.

Timeline of Key Events (May 2026)

May 12, 09:41 PM : Last WhatsApp call from Twisha to her family; shouting heard.

May 12, 10:20 PM : Estimated time of death by hanging at Bagh Mugalia home.

May 12, 10:35 PM : Mother-in-law answers family's call, stating "She is no more."

May 13, 05:00 AM : AIIMS Bhopal formally logs Medico-Legal Case (MLC).

May 24 (Sunday)  : AIIMS Delhi team performs a rare second post-mortem.

May 25 (Monday)  : CBI officially files FIR; SIT questions accused for 2.5 hours.

Initial findings by the local police during the preliminary inquiry revealed prima facie evidence of sustained mental and physical torture linked to an additional demand of ₹20 lakh. This finding formed the core basis for the CBI’s aggressive intervention.

Twisha Death Case Discrepancies Under Lens

A central focus of the federal probe is an unexplained seven-hour delay in informing law enforcement. While forensic analysis suggests Twisha died by hanging at her Bagh Mugalia Extension residence at approximately 10:20 PM on May 12, the formal medico-legal case (MLC) was only logged by AIIMS Bhopal at 5:00 AM the following morning.

Twisha’s family has repeatedly alleged that the delay was intentional. They claim that Samarth Singh—a practicing criminal lawyer—returned to the house after she was declared dead at the hospital specifically to clean the crime scene and alter physical evidence. The CBI is slated to question the attending doctors at AIIMS who initially registered the emergency case.

Late-Night Interrogations Conducted

Ground realities in Bhopal remained tense as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) flanked by forensic experts raided Samarth Singh’s residence in Bagh Mugalia Extension at around 7:30 PM on Monday.

Both Samarth and his mother, Giribala Singh, were subjected to intense custodial questioning lasting over two and a half hours. Investigators subsequently conducted a detailed spot verification of the room where the 33-year-old former model was found. The initial short post-mortem report from AIIMS noted the cause of death as "ante-mortem hanging" but crucially flagged multiple minor blunt force injuries on other parts of her body, contradicting the outright suicide claims made by the in-laws.

Supreme Court Intervenes Directly

The legal battle has simultaneously reached the highest judicial corridors. The Madhya Pradesh High Court issued an urgent notice to the retired judge following petitions filed by the state government and Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, challenging the anticipatory bail granted to her by a lower trial court.

In New Delhi, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter on Monday. During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta alleged that the accused party was actively leveraging local influence to obstruct the ongoing investigation. Chief Justice Surya Kant expressed deep concern over attempts to weaponize public narratives against the judiciary's independence, strongly urging both the defense and prosecution to refrain from making inflammatory public statements.

Meanwhile, following a rare second autopsy conducted by a specialized team flown in from AIIMS Delhi, Twisha’s body was finally cremated at the Bhadbhada crematorium on Sunday, where her brother, Major Harshit, performed her last rites.

Madhya Pradesh HC recognises Bhojshala as Vagdevi temple; devotees hold prayers

High Court partly quashes 2003 ASI order, Hindu groups regain right to worship at Bhojshala; Hanuman Chalisa recited after verdict

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Saturday recognised the disputed Bhojshala–Kamal Maula complex in Dhar as the temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati) dating to the Bhoj-Parmar era, and granted the Hindu side the right to worship at the site, leading to early-morning prayers and celebrations by devotees.

Verdict and immediate response
According to court records made public on Saturday, the bench based its ruling on historical material indicating the site’s origin in the period of King Bhoj of the Bhoj-Parmar dynasty. The court also partially quashed an April 7, 2003, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order that had permitted the Muslim community to offer namaz at the site for a fixed period on Fridays, lawyers involved in the case said.

Following the verdict, office-bearers and members of local Bhojshala committees reached the complex in Dhar on Saturday morning under tight security. “All office bearers reached near the Yagya Kund, had darshan and recited the Hanuman Chalisa,” an organiser said. Committee convener Gopal Sharma and other officials offered flowers and performed rituals at the sanctum sanctorum of Maa Vagdevi. Officials also distributed sweets to mark the development.

Legal and administrative notes
ASI lawyer Aviral Vikas Khare told reporters the monument’s protected status remains intact. The ASI has maintained Bhojshala as a protected monument since 1904, and the court reiterated that complete administration, regulation and supervision of the structure will continue to rest solely with the ASI, the lawyer said.

Hindu counsel Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represented petitioners seeking worship rights, welcomed the judgment. He said the court had partially stayed the 2003 ASI direction and recognised the site as a temple, thereby restoring worship rights. Jain added that the court considered a demand to return an original idol of Vagdevi currently held in a museum in London, though he did not detail the bench’s direction on that specific point.

Ground-level scene
Local residents and pilgrims described a calm, orderly atmosphere at the heritage complex in the late morning. Devotees said they finally had an opportunity to perform rituals without restrictions. “Every particle of Bhojshala indicates that it is a temple,” Gopal Sharma told reporters after performing darshan near the Yagya Kund.

Security and civic monitoring
Dhar city authorities mounted tight security around the Bhojshala complex on Saturday, with local police and district officials monitoring the situation, officials said. Sources familiar with administration plans said additional deployments remained in place to pre-empt any untoward incidents and to ensure peaceful observance by both communities.

Potential Supreme Court action
While celebrations took place among Hindu groups, legal counsels on both sides signalled the possibility of further litigation. The Hindu side has filed two caveat petitions in the Supreme Court, anticipating challenges by the Muslim side, Vishnu Shankar Jain said. There was no immediate confirmation from lawyers representing the Muslim side about whether they would seek a review or approach the apex court.

Historical context
Bhojshala, located in Dhar district, is a complex of medieval structures long associated with King Bhoj (11th–12th century) and has been at the centre of competing claims over religious use. The site has attracted attention from historians and archaeologists for inscriptions and carvings linked to Sanskrit learning and temple architecture, while also being used for religious activities by multiple communities over decades.

Public reaction and outlook
Local civic leaders urged calm and respect for the ASI’s administrative role. “The court has set the legal position today; administration will continue under ASI,” an assistant district magistrate said. Officials said they would hold meetings in coming days with community representatives to ensure worship and access proceed without friction.

For now, the most visible change is at the ground level: devotees offering prayers, rituals conducted peacefully, and the recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa in the complex stands as the immediate public expression of the court’s ruling. How the decision evolves through further appeals or administrative directions will determine the long-term status of Bhojshala.

MP High Court Recognises Bhojshala as Vagdevi Temple, Quashes 2003 Restrictions on Hindu Worship

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday delivered a landmark verdict recognising the centuries-old Bhojshala complex in Dhar as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, commonly referred to as Vagdevi. The ruling effectively sets aside two decades of administrative arrangements that had allowed dual worship at the disputed site.

A division bench hearing five consolidated petitions concluded that archaeological evidence, historical records, and the Archaeological Survey of India's survey report collectively establish the religious character of the structure as a Hindu temple. The Court explicitly rejected the ASI's 2003 order that had denied Hindus the right to worship at the site.

Court Relies on ASI Survey, Ayodhya Precedent

The bench observed that evidence of a Sanskrit learning centre and a Saraswati temple had been found within the Bhojshala complex. Citing the Supreme Court's Ayodhya judgment, the High Court noted that every government bears responsibility for protecting ancient monuments of archaeological significance, including sanctums and idols associated with religious faith.

According to legal news portal Bar and Bench, the Court directed the Central government and the ASI to determine management protocols for the temple complex while maintaining its protected status under the 1958 Act.

Muslim Side Asked to Seek Separate Land

The verdict also quashed an earlier order that had granted Muslims the right to offer namaz at the complex. Dhar Shahar Qazi Waqar Sadiq told reporters that the Muslim side respects the judgment but will challenge it before the Supreme Court.

"We will review the detailed judgment and then approach the Supreme Court," Sadiq said. Senior advocates Salman Khurshid and Shobha Menon had represented the Muslim community during the hearings.

The Court has advised the Muslim side to request the government for alternative land to construct a mosque.

Heavy Security in Place Across Dhar

Administration officials moved quickly to prevent any law and order situation following the verdict. Dhar Collector Rajiv Ranjan Meena and Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma inspected security arrangements inside the Bhojshala complex late Friday afternoon.

Around 1,200 police personnel from across the district have been deployed in Dhar city. Security has been organised in 12 layers, officials said. The Rapid Action Force and reserve police contingents remain on alert. Police also conducted flag marches through sensitive areas.

The Bhojshala complex remains sealed with barricades at the main gate, with a heavy police presence outside.

Background of the Long-Running Dispute

Since 2003, Hindus had been permitted to worship at the site every Tuesday and on Vasant Panchami, while Muslims were allowed to offer namaz on Fridays. The complex remained open to tourists on other days.

Tensions had flared in 2013 and 2016 when Vasant Panchami celebrations coincided with Friday prayers. The petitions before the High Court were originally filed in 2022 by Ranjana Agnihotri and others from Hindu Front for Justice, seeking determination of the site's religious character and full worship rights for the Hindu community.

The ASI conducted a 98-day scientific survey of the complex in 2024. In January 2026, the Supreme Court had permitted day-long worship on Vasant Panchami.

What Happens Next

The Hindu side has welcomed the verdict as historic. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said the Court has also directed the government to consider the Hindu community's request for repatriation of a Goddess Vagdevi idol currently housed in the British Museum.

The Muslim side is expected to file a Supreme Court appeal in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the administration has indicated it will maintain the current security posture until tensions ease.

Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have intensified security arrangements ahead of the expected verdict in the long-pending Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute in Dhar. The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court is likely to pronounce its decision on Friday after hearings on multiple petitions and intervention applications concluded earlier this month.

The development has become one of the biggest India News Update stories in the state because of the religious sensitivity associated with the Bhojshala complex. Administration officials in both Dhar and Indore districts have been placed on high alert, while police and reserve forces have been deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order. Dhar Collector Rajeev Ranjan Meena and Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma visited the Bhojshala premises early Friday to review security arrangements. Officials inspected deployment points and monitored the situation inside and outside the disputed complex before leaving the area.

Police personnel have been stationed across the Bhojshala premises and surrounding localities. Authorities said special precautions were necessary because Friday coincides with Jumma prayers traditionally offered by members of the Muslim community at the site under the existing arrangement. Officials confirmed that nearly 1,200 police personnel from across the district have been deployed for security duty. Dhar city has reportedly been divided into 12 security layers to ensure complete monitoring of sensitive areas and quick response in case of any disturbance.

Senior police officials reviewed preparations at the district control room and instructed security teams to remain vigilant throughout the day. Reserve police forces and Rapid Action Force personnel have also been kept on standby. The administration appealed to residents of all communities to maintain peace and avoid spreading rumours or unverified information. Authorities said strict monitoring of social media platforms is underway and legal action would be taken against anyone found posting inflammatory or misleading content.

Meanwhile, members associated with Hindu organisations gathered near the Bhojshala premises and recited Hanuman Chalisa at nearby temples. Officials maintained close surveillance to ensure that religious activities remained peaceful and within permitted limits. The Bhojshala dispute has remained one of the most sensitive religious and legal issues in Madhya Pradesh for several years. The latest legal proceedings began in 2022 when petitioner Ranjana Agnihotri and others, representing Hindu Front for Justice, approached the High Court seeking declaration of the site’s religious character and full rights for Hindu worship.

The petition demanded uninterrupted पूजा and regular worship rights for Hindus at the Bhojshala complex. It also sought restrictions on namaz within the premises, formation of a trust for management of the site and the return of the idol of Goddess Vagdevi currently housed in the British Museum.

During the hearing, the Hindu side argued that Bhojshala is an ancient temple of Goddess Saraswati and historically functioned as a centre of learning during the rule of Paramara king Bhoj. Advocates referred to ASI survey findings, inscriptions, architectural remains and historical literature to support their claims.

Advocate Manish Gupta reportedly cited references from the ancient text Samarangana Sutradhara and argued that the structure matched traditional temple architecture described during King Bhoj’s era.

On the other hand, the Muslim side maintained before the court that the site has long functioned as Kamal Maula Mosque and argued that questions regarding religious character should be decided by a civil court. Senior advocate Salman Khurshid also raised objections regarding the clarity and interpretation of the Archaeological Survey of India’s scientific survey findings.

The ASI had conducted a 98-day scientific survey of the Bhojshala complex in 2024 following court directions. The findings later became a major point of discussion during arguments before the High Court. Earlier this year, on January 23, 2026, the Supreme Court permitted uninterrupted worship at Bhojshala throughout Vasant Panchami celebrations. Following this, regular hearings in the High Court continued from April 6 until May 12, after which the verdict was reserved.

The dispute has witnessed several tense moments over the years, especially when Vasant Panchami and Friday prayers coincided on the same day. Similar situations in 2013 and 2016 had led to heightened tension and heavy security deployment in Dhar. Under the current administrative arrangement in place since 2003, Hindus are permitted to offer prayers every Tuesday and on Vasant Panchami, while the Muslim community is allowed to offer Friday namaz at the complex. The site remains open to tourists on other days.

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MP High Court issues bailable warrants against three officials

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued bailable warrants of Rs 25,000 each against three senior officers, including the principal secretary of the MSME department, in a contempt matter linked to delayed action on a promotion case in Rewa. The court also directed the police chiefs of Bhopal and Rewa to ensure service of the warrants, and fixed the matter for hearing after a week.

Promotion dispute in Rewa

The contempt petition concerns Jayaprakash Tiwari, an assistant manager posted at the District Industries Centre in Rewa, who had sought promotion to the post of manager. According to the petition, he was eligible for the promotion, but the department did not take a decision within the time the court had earlier prescribed.

The single bench of Justice Vishal Mishra was told that the High Court had already passed an order on November 4, 2024, directing the concerned officers to decide the promotion issue within 90 days. When that order was not followed, the petitioner moved the contempt court.

Court notes non-appearance

During the hearing, the court found that notices had been duly served on the three officials, but none of them appeared before it. Taking a serious view of the absence, the bench ordered bailable warrants against principal secretary Raghvendra Singh, commissioner Dilip Kumar Singh and general manager Rahul Dubey.

The court also asked the SPs of Bhopal and Rewa to ensure that the warrants are served. The matter now moves forward as a contempt proceeding, with the next hearing scheduled for about a week later.

Earlier order ignored

The case has drawn attention because it stems from alleged non-compliance with a prior judicial direction rather than a fresh service dispute. Court records in the matter show that the earlier order was meant to settle the promotion question within a fixed deadline, but the petitioner says the administration did not act even after that window closed.

That alleged delay is what prompted the contempt plea. In such cases, courts often focus not only on the original claim but also on whether officials obeyed the earlier order in time and in full.

Wider signal for administration

The warrant order is likely to be read as another reminder that government departments must respond within the timelines set by courts, especially in service matters involving promotions, pay or seniority. For employees, these cases often turn less on the merits alone and more on whether the administration has complied with a binding judicial direction.

The petitioner's counsel, Shrey Diwan, argued the matter on behalf of Tiwari, the order notes.

Next hearing ahead

For now, the immediate focus is on securing the presence of the three officers before the court. What happens at the next hearing will likely depend on whether they appear and explain why the earlier direction was not implemented, or whether the court decides to press the contempt proceedings further.

Gwalior woman chooses boyfriend over husband in MP High Court

In a dramatic turn of events during a court hearing, a woman held her boyfriend’s hand in front of the judge and refused to return to her husband.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Gwalior Bench witnessed an unusual scene this week during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition. A woman, produced before the court by the police, openly rejected her husband and chose to stay with her boyfriend. Holding her partner’s hand in the courtroom, she informed the bench that she was living with him by choice and had no intention of reconciling with her husband.

Petition leads to confrontation

The matter reached the court after the husband filed a habeas corpus petition, alleging his wife had been abducted. He specifically named an individual, Kuldeep Rathore, accusing him of holding the woman against her will.

However, when the Purani Chhavni police produced her before the bench, the narrative shifted entirely. The woman clarified she had been living with Kuldeep for the past 20 days of her own volition.

Relationship beyond repair

Upon hearing his wife’s statement and witnessing her public display of affection for another man, the husband also withdrew his claim. He informed the court that he no longer wished to take her back or maintain any marital ties.

The atmosphere in the courtroom remained tense as both parties stood firm on their decision to end the relationship. This Gwalior Divorce News highlights the growing complexities in modern domestic disputes.

Counseling sessions fail

Before passing an order, the court directed the couple to undergo professional counseling to explore any possibility of a settlement. According to sources, the sessions revealed deep-seated issues.

The husband, a driver by profession, was frequently away from home for work. During these periods, the woman reportedly developed a relationship with the other man, leading to frequent domestic friction and the eventual breakdown of the marriage.

Brief marital journey

Records indicate that the couple tied the knot in November 2024. Despite being married for only 17 months, the bond soured quickly.

The woman had been missing for nearly three weeks before the police tracked her down. While the husband initially sought her "rescue," the court proceedings ended any hope of a reunion between the two.

Court suggests divorce

Observing that there was no scope for reconciliation, the High Court advised the duo to seek a divorce through mutual consent. The bench noted that forced cohabitation was not feasible given the woman’s categorical refusal.

Under the current India News Update, such cases are increasingly bringing the focus back on personal liberty and the legalities of marital separation in the country.

Final court directions

The High Court ultimately allowed the woman to leave with her mother, as she had expressed a temporary wish to stay with her family. The habeas corpus petition was subsequently disposed of as redundant.

Legal experts suggest that the case will now move to a family court for formal separation. This Public Interest Story serves as a stark reminder of the evolving social and legal landscape regarding matrimonial disputes in Madhya Pradesh.

Indore Water Contamination Tragedy Sparks Outrage: High Court Slams Govt, 38 New Cases Emerge

 Once celebrated as India’s cleanest city, Indore finds itself under national scrutiny after the Indore water contamination crisis claimed 17 lives and left dozens hospitalized. The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday described the government’s response as “insensitive,” stating that the incident had severely damaged Indore’s reputation across the country.

During the hearing on 6 January, the Indore bench observed that the tragedy was not confined to the Bhagirathpura area but raised serious concerns about the safety of drinking water across the entire city. The court has summoned the state Chief Secretary to appear virtually on 15 January for the next hearing.

High Court Raises Tough Questions Over Accountability

The Madhya Pradesh High Court said ensuring access to clean drinking water is a constitutional obligation under Article 21 — the right to life. The bench directed state and civic authorities to file detailed replies and present a fresh status report focusing on seven key areas: emergency relief, corrective action, accountability, disciplinary steps, compensation, civic direction, and public awareness.

Petitioners urged the court to investigate systemic negligence, pointing out that residents had repeatedly complained of contaminated water long before the deaths were reported. Senior counsel revealed that a proposal for laying new water pipelines, approved in 2022, has remained stalled due to a shortage of funds.

Ground Reality: Political Reactions and Public Anger

As outrage spreads, the Congress party has launched widespread protests across Indore’s wards. State Congress president Jitu Patwari and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar joined demonstrations in Bhagirathpura, blaming administrative negligence for the deaths.

Patwari stated that the deaths have “tarnished Indore’s global reputation for cleanliness.” He demanded the resignations of Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav, and higher compensation of ₹1 crore per family instead of the current ₹2 lakh offered by the government.

Meanwhile, 38 new cases of diarrhoea and vomiting were reported on Tuesday, with six patients referred to Aurobindo Hospital. According to health authorities, 110 individuals remain hospitalised, and 15 are in intensive care.

Environmental Negligence Under Scrutiny

A shocking revelation resurfaced from a 2017–18 Pollution Control Board report, which found 59 out of 60 water samples unfit for consumption—yet no action was taken. Petitioners alleged that both civil and criminal liability should be fixed on negligent officials and demanded a high-level probe into the ongoing crisis.

What Lies Ahead

As the High Court prepares for the next phase of hearings on 15 January, public trust in local administration hangs in the balance. For a city celebrated as India’s model for cleanliness and urban governance, the Indore water contamination tragedy poses a serious reminder that cleanliness must begin at the most essential level — safe drinking water.