Delhi AIIMS four-member team conducts second post-mortem at Bhopal AIIMS; family says funeral likely this evening

A four-member team from Delhi AIIMS began a second post-mortem on the body of actress Twisha Sharma at Bhopal AIIMS on Sunday, officials said, as tight security remained in and around the hospital morgue. The development comes amid competing claims from the actress’s natal and marital families and fresh legal and investigative moves, including a direction for possible CBI involvement.

Second post-mortem underway
According to hospital sources, the AIIMS team reached Bhopal late Saturday night and started the judicial procedure early Sunday morning. Police and hospital security personnel were deployed around the mortuary and adjacent corridors to manage access. The entire process is to be video-recorded, as ordered by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Family statement on funeral
Major Harshit, Twisha’s brother, told reporters that the family plans to perform the last rites at Bhadbhada crematorium at 5 pm today, subject to completion of post-mortem formalities. He declined to comment on whether the actress’s husband or in‑laws would attend. The family has also sought swift transfer of the case to the CBI, a demand vocalised by Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma.

Court and probe developments
The case drew national attention after the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance and listed the matter for hearing before a bench led by the Chief Justice on Monday. Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered a second post-mortem, directing that it be led by the AIIMS director and that the police keep the body under safe custody until the procedure is complete.

On Saturday, Bhopal district court sent Twisha’s husband, identified as Samarth Singh, to seven days’ police remand after his production before the magistrate. The court also ordered seizure of his passport. Police said a look-out notice had been issued earlier amid concerns of possible flight from the country.

Sequence of events
Initial police records show Twisha, a 28-year-old actor and daughter-in-law of retired judge Giribala Singh, returned to her residence in the Katara Hills area of Bhopal on the night of May 12. CCTV from the parlour showed her arriving around 6 pm. Samarth told investigators that the couple went for a stroll and later watched television; he said Twisha spoke on the phone with family and then went to another room. He said he later fell asleep and woke to find her missing.

Samarth and family accounts
In statements to police, Samarth said the couple’s relationship had been “normal” after marriage in December 2025 but that Twisha’s behaviour had changed after pregnancy was confirmed on April 17. He said she had travelled to Ajmer and Delhi briefly in April and returned to Bhopal on April 30. Samarth claimed Twisha had left a mark of distress in calls with her mother on the night in question and that his mother discovered Twisha hanging from an elastic exercise band on the terrace.

Police said CPR was administered and Twisha was taken to AIIMS Bhopal, where doctors declared her dead. Investigators, however, maintain that statements are being cross-checked and that Samarth’s account contains inconsistencies. “We are probing the sequence of events on May 12 and will examine all forensic leads,” an officer familiar with the probe said.

Legal fallout
The Bar Council of India on May 22 suspended Samarth’s right to practice; the BCI chairman confirmed the order. In the state High Court, the in‑laws’ request to hand over the body to the husband on religious grounds was rejected. The court has issued notices to multiple parties, including retired judge Giribala Singh, whose anticipatory bail the father has challenged.

State and central involvement
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said the state government had written to the Centre for CBI assistance; officials told reporters the state has conveyed willingness for central investigation. The father’s delegation met the chief minister on May 20 seeking an independent probe; the CM reportedly assured cooperation.

What happens next
Police said Samarth will be questioned further, including on the spot where the incident occurred and on movements from the day in question up to his arrest. Investigators plan to recreate timelines and collate CCTV and call data records. The second post-mortem report — expected later Sunday — could shape the next legal steps, including the family’s decision on where final rites will be held.

Hearings are scheduled in both the High Court and local courts on Monday and Tuesday: the High Court will continue its oversight while a Bhopal district court will hear an application to cancel Giribala Singh’s anticipatory bail.

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 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.

The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order protecting the personality and publicity rights of Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. The court restrained entities from using his name, image, or likeness for commercial purposes without his consent, citing a sharp rise in AI-generated deepfakes and unauthorised merchandise.

A bench of Justice Jyoti Singh, in an order passed on March 25 and made public on Saturday, observed that Gambhir is among India’s most decorated cricketers. The court noted that unauthorised content and merchandise deriving commercial value from his goodwill and reputation amount to a violation of his personality rights.

Court Recognises Gambhir’s Stature in Indian Cricket

Justice Singh highlighted Gambhir’s distinguished cricketing career, noting that he has represented India in 242 international matches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. The court specifically mentioned his match-winning innings in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Final and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Final, describing them as defining moments in Indian cricket history.

Following his retirement, the court observed, Gambhir transitioned into mentorship and coaching roles before being appointed head coach of the Indian men’s team in July 2024. “Under his stewardship, India won the ICC Champions Trophy, 2025, Asia Cup, 2025, and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2026,” the order stated, underscoring his continued relevance in the public eye.

Deepfakes and Unauthorised Merchandise Prompt Legal Action

Gambhir had approached the court seeking protection, citing a coordinated campaign of digital impersonation. According to his petition, there has been a sharp rise in fabricated digital content relating to him across platforms such as Instagram, X, YouTube, and Facebook since 2025.

The court was informed that multiple accounts have used AI tools, including face-swapping and voice-cloning technologies, to create realistic videos falsely portraying Gambhir as making statements he never made. One fabricated “resignation announcement” reportedly garnered over 2.9 million views, causing significant reputational concern.

Additionally, the petition stated that e-commerce platforms were facilitating the sale of posters, merchandise, and other products bearing Gambhir’s name and likeness without authorisation, commercially exploiting his persona.

Court Orders Takedown, Restrains Future Use

Justice Singh directed the concerned entities to take down the infringing content within 36 hours. The interim order restrains any person or entity from using Gambhir’s name, image, voice, or other attributes of his personality for commercial purposes without his explicit consent.

Legal experts note that the ruling reinforces the growing recognition of personality rights as a distinct legal protectable interest in India, particularly in the context of emerging AI technologies. The court’s observation on the coordinated nature of the impersonation campaign also highlights the increasing judicial awareness of digital manipulation risks faced by public figures.

Broader Implications for Public Figures

The order comes amid growing concerns over AI-generated deepfakes and unauthorised commercial use of celebrity personas. Legal observers say the judgment sets a precedent for other public figures seeking recourse against digital impersonation and brand misappropriation.

While the interim order provides immediate relief to Gambhir, the matter remains pending further adjudication. The case also underscores the challenges faced by celebrities and public personalities in protecting their digital identity in an era of rapidly advancing generative AI tools.

What’s Next

The court has listed the matter for further hearing at a later date. Meanwhile, social media platforms and e-commerce websites are expected to comply with the takedown directive. The order is being seen as a significant step in balancing free expression with the protection of individual personality rights in the digital age.

Supreme Court Restores Attempt to Rape Charge, Overturns Allahabad High Court Order in POCSO Case

In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court restores attempt to rape charge in a controversial case from Uttar Pradesh, overturning a March 2025 order of the Allahabad High Court. The apex court ruled that acts such as groping a minor, breaking her pyjama string, and attempting to drag her to a secluded spot clearly fall within the ambit of attempt to rape.

The verdict, delivered by a bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant of the Supreme Court of India, comes after the top court took suo motu cognisance of the High Court’s observations, which had sparked widespread criticism across legal and civil society circles.

Background of the Kasganj Minor Assault Case

The case relates to a 2021 incident in Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh. According to the complaint filed by the victim’s mother in January 2022, three youths allegedly stopped her 14-year-old daughter on the pretext of dropping her home.

The accused reportedly:

 Touched the minor’s private parts

 Attempted to drag her under a culvert

 Broke the string of her pyjama

 Allegedly threatened bystanders with a country-made pistol

A case was registered under relevant sections of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). The special POCSO court in Kasganj issued summons in 2023.

Allahabad High Court Verdict Triggered Controversy

On March 17, 2025, the Allahabad High Court held that the alleged acts did not amount to rape or attempt to rape. It dropped IPC Section 376 and Section 18 of the POCSO Act, directing that the accused be tried under lesser charges related to sexual harassment.

The Allahabad High Court verdict drew sharp criticism. Legal experts argued that such reasoning diluted the seriousness of sexual crimes against minors and risked setting a troubling precedent.

Supreme Court’s Strong Observations

The Supreme Court restores attempt to rape charge, stating unequivocally that physical acts demonstrating clear sexual intent and preparation can constitute attempt to rape.

Earlier, while staying the High Court’s order, the bench had observed that certain remarks reflected an “insensitive and inhuman approach.” The court also cautioned judicial authorities against using language that could intimidate victims or discourage them from pursuing justice.

During hearings in December 2025, the apex court emphasized that judicial reasoning must remain sensitive in cases involving minors, especially under the POCSO framework.

Why This Judgment Matters Now

At a time when crimes against women and minors remain a major concern, this ruling reinforces:

 A stricter interpretation of sexual assault laws

 Protection of minors under the POCSO Act

 Judicial accountability in sensitive cases

Legal experts believe the judgment may guide future courts in interpreting what constitutes “attempt” in sexual offence cases. It also signals that higher courts will intervene if lower court rulings appear to undermine victim protection.

Practical Takeaways

For legal practitioners and observers:

 Courts may adopt a broader interpretation of “attempt” in sexual crimes.

 POCSO-related cases will likely see stricter judicial scrutiny.

 Victim-sensitive language in judgments is now under sharper focus.

By overturning the High Court’s order, the Supreme Court restores attempt to rape charge and sends a strong message on safeguarding minors’ rights. The ruling not only corrects a controversial interpretation but also strengthens the legal framework protecting children under Indian law.

As debates around judicial sensitivity and women’s safety continue nationwide, this landmark decision is likely to shape future legal discourse and reinforce public trust in the justice system.