Anticipatory bail rejected a day earlier; husband Samarth Singh on CBI remand till May 29

A team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers on Thursday questioned retired judge Giribala Singh for over six hours at her residence in the Kolar Hills area, as her arrest in the Twisha Sharma death case appeared imminent.

The questioning began around 10:30 am, barely 24 hours after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled her anticipatory bail in a late-night order. Sources familiar with the matter said the former judge was being confronted with digital evidence and forensic reports.

Heavy Security, Barricades Outside Residence

The retired judge’s house has been virtually sealed. Personnel from the Kolar Hills and Bag Sevania police stations have been deployed outside, and barricades have been put up around the property. Officials from both police stations were also seen entering the premises.

According to local authorities, the heavy security is a precautionary measure to manage the growing crowd of onlookers and media personnel that has gathered in the upscale locality.

3D Camera Used to Map Crime Scene

Investigators brought a high-intensity 3D camera inside the house to conduct a 360-degree forensic mapping of the entire premises. The technology is typically used to prepare scientific evidence for court.

Initial reports indicate that the camera was also positioned on the balcony to scan neighbouring rooftops and terraces. The CBI is trying to determine whether the spot where Twisha died was visible from any adjoining property.

What the High Court Said

In a strongly worded 17-page order issued late Wednesday, the High Court noted that the lower court had failed to properly examine the case diary and evidence. The court observed that multiple injury marks were found on the body, which the accused side could not explain satisfactorily.

“The trial court did not consider the seriousness of the case. It was not appropriate to grant relief to the accused,” the order stated, according to legal sources.

The court also took note of WhatsApp chats that allegedly show the mother-in-law and husband pressuring Twisha over her character and demanding an abortion.

Husband on CBI Remand Till May 29

Meanwhile, Twisha’s husband Samarth Singh remains in CBI custody after the agency was granted his remand until May 29. Officials are questioning him about the sequence of events on the night of May 12, when Twisha died under suspicious circumstances at their home.

Investigators are also looking into his ten-day disappearance. Police have confirmed that Singh had switched off his mobile phone and hid in Jabalpur while on the run. “He kept changing locations and avoided direct contact with people,” an official said.

The Case So Far

Twisha Sharma, an actress and model who had worked with several multinational brands and appeared in two Telugu films, died on the night of May 12. While her in-laws have maintained it was a suicide, her family has alleged murder.

A second post-mortem was conducted by a team from Delhi AIIMS at the Bhopal AIIMS on May 24. The final report, including histopathology and viscera analysis, is still awaited. Her last rites were performed later that evening at the Bhadbhada crematorium.

What Happens Next

With the CBI team expected to leave the residence at any time, officials said a medical examination will likely precede a formal arrest. The agency is also examining call detail records and CCTV footage from the area.

The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter on May 25, with the Chief Justice expressing concern over questions being raised about the judiciary’s impartiality. For now, all eyes remain on the Kolar Hills residence, where a former judge’s fate hangs in the balance.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken charge of the probe into the suspicious death of actress Twisha Sharma, re-registering an FIR that names her husband, Samarth Singh, and mother-in-law and retired judge Giribala Singh, officials said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, applications to preserve call detail records (CDR) and CCTV footage are scheduled for hearing in a Bhopal district court today.

CBI re-registers FIR
According to officials, the CBI team that reached Bhopal on Monday evening re-registered the FIR originally filed at Katara Hills police station. The fresh FIR is reportedly framed under sections related to dowry death after preliminary material suggested demands for additional money. Sources familiar with the investigation said the agency has recorded new entries following spot verification and interviews.

Court applications today
Twisha’s family has moved the Bhopal district court seeking preservation of her CDR, filed through their lawyer Ankur Pandey. Separately, Giribala Singh’s side has applied for the preservation of CCTV footage. Both petitions are listed for hearing this morning, court records show. Local police have not yet placed any report before the court; officials said that step was pending because the probe is now with the CBI.

Forensic belt under examination
Police and investigating officers confirmed the gymnastic belt alleged to have been used in the hanging was taken into custody. DCP Vikas Kumar Shahwal told reporters the belt was handed to a medical team after the first post-mortem and later retained by the SIT. The item was despatched to the forensic laboratory in Sagar about a week ago and remains under analysis. The Delhi AIIMS team’s request for further tests prompted additional correspondence between the city police, FSL and the cyber cell, officials added.

SIT searches and questioning
A special investigation team visited Samarth Singh’s home in Bag Mugalia Extension on Monday around 7:30 pm and carried out spot verification. Samarth and Giribala were questioned for roughly two-and-a-half hours. Police sources said Samarth told investigators Twisha had been under stress after a recent abortion and reiterated that he and his family had given her Rs 7 lakh at the time of marriage.

Delay in reporting under scrutiny
Twisha was found hanging on the night of May 12 at the Katara Hills residence; the case was formally registered at AIIMS Bhopal on the morning of May 13. The CBI will probe why the information reached the police late and whether any evidence was tampered with before official reporting. Family members have alleged deliberate delay in informing the police, accusing the in-laws of attempting to influence the crime scene. The new FIR reportedly notes possible interference with evidence and delays in notifying authorities.

Legal developments at higher courts
The case drew national attention this week when the Supreme Court took suo motu notice and heard arguments on Monday. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud (reported earlier as part of the bench) cautioned media against running after statements from either side and urged the matter be allowed to proceed within legal bounds. Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notice to Giribala Singh following petitions by the state government and Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, challenging her anticipatory bail and alleging lack of cooperation with investigators.

Second post-mortem, funeral held
A Delhi AIIMS team conducted a second post-mortem at Bhopal AIIMS on May 24, twelve days after the initial autopsy. Twisha’s last rites took place the same evening at Bhadbhada crematorium; her brother, Major Harshit, performed the final rites, family sources said.

What happens next
With the CBI now leading the investigation, the case is likely to be transferred to a special court in due course, officials indicated. Today's district court hearing on preserving digital and CCTV records could determine what evidence remains immediately accessible to investigators. Forensic reports on the belt and other material are awaited and expected to shape the agency’s next steps.