The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that a private religious body or an organisation describing itself as a Sharia court cannot exercise the powers of a court established under law to determine a person's marital status or legally dissolve a marriage.

Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad held that the Idara-E-Shariya Islami Court in Raipur had no legal authority to declare that a woman was divorced from her husband. The court set aside the legal effect of its January 18, 2022 communication, while making it clear that the broader constitutional validity of Talaq-e-Hasan was not being decided in the case.

What the High Court ruled

The case concerned a Muslim woman who challenged an order issued by the private religious body during a matrimonial dispute. The organisation had issued a communication declaring her divorced.

The High Court held that the Idara-E-Shariya Islami Court was neither constituted nor recognised as a court under the Constitution or any statute. Therefore, its communication could not legally alter the woman's marital status or create, extinguish or modify the legal rights and obligations of either spouse. 

The judgment drew a distinction between a religious opinion and a legally enforceable judicial decision.

Religious opinion cannot replace a court order

The court made clear that private religious institutions may provide religious advice or facilitate voluntary reconciliation, but they cannot assume the adjudicatory powers of statutory courts.

In other words, a religious body's opinion may have significance for those who voluntarily seek such guidance, but it does not automatically acquire the force of law or become enforceable through legal or coercive mechanisms. 

The High Court relied on the Supreme Court's earlier judgment in Vishwa Lochan Madan v. Union of India, which held that bodies such as Dar-ul-Qaza and institutions issuing fatwas are not courts created by law and cannot issue binding verdicts determining people's legal rights.

How the marital dispute began

According to the judgment, the petitioner, identified as Nirosh Abbasi, had married Mohd Abid Khan on July 18, 2020, following the death of her first husband.

A matrimonial dispute subsequently arose. The husband claimed that he had communicated Talaq-e-Hasan to her in three stages — on August 31, September 30 and October 30, 2021.

The woman, meanwhile, complained of alleged harassment and cruelty. An FIR was registered at Mahila Thana, Raipur, under Sections 498-A and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. 

During the proceedings, the Idara-E-Shariya Islami Court issued its January 18, 2022 communication declaring her divorced.

The woman challenged the authority of the religious body to determine her marital status.

High Court leaves Talaq-e-Hasan issue open

Importantly, the judgment does not decide whether Talaq-e-Hasan itself is constitutionally valid or invalid.

The High Court treated that as a separate and broader legal question and noted that the issue was pending before the Supreme Court. It therefore confined its ruling to the authority of the private religious body to determine the woman's legal marital status. 

This distinction is important: the court's ruling concerns the legal authority of the Idara-E-Shariya Islami Court, rather than a final determination on the constitutional validity of the particular form of divorce.

FIR and other legal remedies unaffected

The High Court also clarified that its decision would not prejudice the criminal proceedings or prevent either party from pursuing remedies available under law.

The pending criminal case and other legal rights are to be dealt with by the competent authorities in accordance with applicable law. 

Petition partly allowed

The High Court partly allowed the petition and held that the January 18, 2022 communication, insofar as it purported to determine the woman's marital status or dissolve her marriage, was without legal authority.

The ruling reinforces the principle that private religious institutions cannot assume the jurisdiction of courts established by law. A religious body can offer an opinion or assist in reconciliation, but a legally enforceable change in marital status must come through the competent legal process. 

The Chhattisgarh High Court has questioned the investigation process followed by Bilaspur Police in an NDPS case involving the alleged seizure of 2,925 clonazepam tablets from a woman's house in Sarkanda. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal questioned how the police officer who recorded the initial complaint and was involved in registration of the FIR could subsequently be appointed as the investigating officer in the same case. The court has sought a response from the Director General of Police through an affidavit, with the matter scheduled to come up again on August 24.

The case relates to a police raid at a house in Bandhwapara, under Sarkanda police station, where officers claimed to have recovered 2,925 clonazepam tablets, identified in the case as the drug sold under the brand name Rivotril. The woman was booked under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and has reportedly remained in custody for around seven months. Her family has disputed the prosecution's version and alleged that she was falsely implicated. Her brother has specifically alleged a conspiracy involving Sarkanda Police, the woman's brother-in-law Ramkishore and ASI Shailendra Singh. These allegations have not been independently established. According to the petitioners, the packet containing the tablets was not recovered directly from the woman. They claim that a child, aged around 14, found the packet on the terrace while flying a kite and, after checking information about the medicines on a mobile phone, informed his mother. The family says the packet was subsequently kept near the staircase as an unwanted object before police action was taken. The petitioners have sought an investigation into how the packet reached the terrace, where it came from and the circumstances in which the woman was arrested. They have also sought forensic examination of the child's mobile phone.

Court Questions Investigation

During the hearing, the division bench focused on the role of ASI Shailendra Singh in the case. The petitioners told the court that the officer had recorded the initial dehati nalishi, on the basis of which the FIR was registered, and was subsequently entrusted with the investigation. The same officer is also stated to have completed the investigation and filed the charge sheet against the woman. The court questioned the propriety of this arrangement and sought an explanation from the DGP. The bench has also directed that information concerning the past conduct and service record of ASI Shailendra Singh be placed before it.

The petitioners have raised another concern regarding the treatment of the minor who allegedly found the packet. They told the court that no FIR had been registered against the child, yet police allegedly took him to the station and kept him there for around 10 hours. They have sought an impartial examination of the entire episode, including the alleged recovery, the source of the tablets and the role of the people involved in the case. The court's order to seek an affidavit from the DGP means the police will now have to explain the procedure followed in the investigation and address the questions raised by the bench. The next hearing on August 24 is expected to provide further clarity on the court's concerns and the response from the police administration.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken a stern view of the growing number of deaths caused by lightning strikes, exposed electrical wires, and illegal electric fencing across the state. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the court questioned whether public safety measures were limited to official paperwork or were actually being implemented on the ground.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal directed the state government and the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) to explain the concrete steps being taken to prevent such accidents. The court has asked the power utility to submit a comprehensive status report by August 18, the next date of hearing.

Court Questions Delay in Safety Measures

During the hearing, the bench raised concerns over the state's response to recurring electrocution incidents and asked what progress had been made in preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at preventing electrical accidents.

The judges observed that issuing circulars and administrative orders alone would not ensure public safety unless visible improvements were seen on the ground.

The court emphasized that effective implementation, regular monitoring, and accountability were essential to reducing fatalities caused by electrical hazards.

Power Company Files Affidavit

In compliance with the High Court's earlier directions issued on July 6, 2026, the Principal Secretary of the Energy Department and the Managing Director of CSPDCL submitted personal affidavits before the court.

The affidavits revealed that under the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Supply Code, 2011, Clause 5.35 had earlier made it mandatory for low-tension electricity consumers to submit a licensed contractor's wiring test report before obtaining a new power connection or after completing electrical wiring.

However, the power company informed the court that this mandatory requirement had been withdrawn through an order issued on March 2, 2026, a development that drew attention during the proceedings.

High-Level Committee Formed

The state government informed the court that a high-level committee had been constituted on July 20, 2026, to prepare a comprehensive SOP for preventing electrical accidents and improving public safety.

The committee includes senior CSPDCL officials along with the state's Electrical Inspector. It has been tasked with developing safety protocols, identifying risk factors, and recommending preventive measures to reduce electrocution-related incidents.

Illegal Electric Fencing Among Major Causes

According to the affidavit submitted by CSPDCL, a significant number of electrocution deaths occur due to:

• Illegal electrification of farm and boundary fencing.
• Construction work carried out without minimum electrical safety standards.
• Unsafe electrical installations.
• Exposure to live wires during maintenance and unauthorized connections.

The company stated that it has designated senior officials and regional Additional Chief Engineers as Electrical Safety Officers in accordance with the Central Electricity Authority Safety Regulations, 2023, and provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003.

Awareness Campaigns Underway

CSPDCL also informed the court that awareness campaigns and workshops are being organized across rural and urban areas to educate people about safe electricity usage and discourage illegal power connections, commonly known as "hooking."

Officials said these initiatives aim to improve public awareness regarding electrical hazards while encouraging compliance with safety standards.

High Court Seeks Accountability

Despite these assurances, the High Court observed that forming committees and issuing directions would not be sufficient unless measurable action was visible on the ground.

The bench directed the Principal Secretary of the Energy Department and the Managing Director of CSPDCL to submit a detailed report explaining:

• The progress made by the committee formed on July 20.
• The status of the proposed Standard Operating Procedure.
• Measures taken to strengthen electrical infrastructure.
• Steps adopted for regular inspection and maintenance.
• Efforts to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations across the state.

The matter will now be heard on August 18, when the court is expected to review the implementation of the proposed safety measures and the state's preparedness to prevent further electrocution and lightning-related fatalities.

The investigation into the suspicious death of actress-model Twisha Sharma in Bhopal intensified after police brought her husband Samarth Singh from Jabalpur to the state capital late Friday night. The case has drawn widespread public attention following the emergence of CCTV footage showing Twisha at a beauty parlour shortly before her death and fresh allegations made by her family against her husband and in-laws.

Twisha Sharma, 31, died under suspicious circumstances on May 12 at her matrimonial home in the Katara Hills area of Bhopal. While her in-laws initially claimed she died by suicide, her parental family has accused her husband and mother-in-law of murder. The latest developments, including court proceedings, police action, and viral chats allegedly linked to Twisha, have turned the case into one of the biggest Public Interest Stories and Trending News India topics in recent days.

CCTV Footage Emerges

Police have reportedly seized CCTV footage from a beauty parlour located near Twisha’s matrimonial home. In the footage, Twisha is seen getting ready and undergoing makeup shortly before her death.

Investigators said the parlour is situated barely 100 metres from her residence in Bagmugalia Extension under the Katara Hills area. Officials familiar with the probe said Twisha appeared calm and relaxed in the footage. Police are now examining the timing of her movements and interactions on the day of the incident. Images from the section of the house where her body was found have also surfaced during the investigation.

Husband Brought to Bhopal

Late Friday night, police teams brought Samarth Singh to Bhopal from Jabalpur after taking him into custody. He is currently being kept at Katara Hills police station under security arrangements. Barricading was placed outside the police station and additional personnel were deployed anticipating public and media attention. Police officials said Samarth would undergo medical examination before being produced in court. Investigators are expected to seek remand for detailed questioning. The Special Investigation Team led by ACP Rajneesh Kashyap Kaul is probing the case from multiple angles.

Questions Over Escape

Police are now trying to reconstruct Samarth’s movements during the period he was allegedly absconding. Investigators want to determine where he stayed, who helped him travel, and whether any attempt was made to evade arrest. Officials indicated that action could also be taken against anyone found assisting him during the period. During his appearance in Jabalpur court, Samarth was seen wearing a cap, mask, casual clothes, and a light beard, marking a noticeable change from his usual appearance. Police believe the altered look may have been intended to avoid identification.

Family Alleges Murder

Twisha’s family has consistently alleged that she was murdered inside her matrimonial home. Her relatives claim she had been facing mental harassment after marriage and had repeatedly informed family members through calls and WhatsApp chats. One of the chats that surfaced online allegedly showed Twisha writing to her mother that she felt suffocated and emotionally distressed in her marital home. Her family has also accused local police of initially mishandling the investigation and giving protection to influential members of the accused family.

Court Orders Fresh Postmortem

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered a second postmortem examination of Twisha Sharma’s body. According to court directions, the procedure will be conducted at AIIMS Bhopal under the supervision of a team led by the Director of Delhi AIIMS. The entire process will be videographed. Until the fresh postmortem is completed, authorities have been instructed to preserve the body. The state government has also written to the Centre expressing consent for a CBI investigation into the case after demands from Twisha’s family and public pressure increased.

Lawyer’s License Suspended

In another major development, the Bar Council of India suspended Samarth Singh’s licence to practice law with immediate effect. The decision was reportedly taken following the seriousness of allegations linked to the case. Meanwhile, the High Court also issued notice to retired judge Giribala Singh, Twisha’s mother-in-law, in connection with petitions seeking cancellation of her anticipatory bail. Legal proceedings related to bail cancellation, fresh investigation demands, and postmortem directions are expected to continue in the coming days.

Marriage and Dispute

According to family members, Twisha and Samarth met through a matrimonial website in January 2025 and later got married in Delhi on December 9, 2025. Relatives allege that disputes started within a month of marriage and tensions escalated over time. Twisha’s family claimed she faced emotional pressure due to the intercaste marriage and frequently informed them about conflicts inside the house.

Despite repeated counselling from relatives to maintain the marriage, the situation allegedly worsened in the months leading to her death. Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar stated that until the case is transferred to another agency, local police will continue investigation from every possible angle and proceed according to law.