India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The CBI has filed a chargesheet against Samarth Singh and his mother, Giribala Singh, in connection with the death of former actor-model Twisha Sharma, alleging that she was subjected to prolonged mental torture during her six-month marriage.
A chilling message sent by Twisha to her sister-in-law Rashi Abrol minutes before her death has emerged as a key part of the investigation. At 9.36 pm on May 12, Twisha allegedly messaged Abrol: “Ask him to collect left over of his wife. But tomorrow. Let me die in peace right now.”
The CBI filed a chargesheet in Bhopal against Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh for the death of Twisha Sharma, alleging prolonged mental torture and cruelty during her six-month marriage, with a final message sent by Twisha being a key part of the investigation.
The CBI chargesheet, filed before a special court in Bhopal, says the message became an important part of the agency’s investigation into the alleged psychological harassment faced by Twisha at the hands of her husband and mother-in-law.
The 31-page chargesheet, along with hundreds of pages of annexures, details a series of incidents that the agency claims amounted to mental cruelty. The CBI has invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cruelty by a husband or his relatives towards a woman, abetment to suicide and common intention.
The agency has also kept its investigation into alleged dowry demands and dowry death open. Further chargesheets could be filed depending on the findings of the ongoing probe.
What Happened On May 12?
According to the CBI chargesheet, the final evening began with a series of calls and exchanges between Twisha, her family and her in-laws.
Earlier that day, Samarth had visited a doctor for a family consultation after being persuaded by Twisha’s mother. Later, Twisha went to a beauty parlour. After returning home, she reportedly saw Samarth and Giribala walking outside and wanted to join them, but the two were allegedly not keen on taking her along.
The digital trail began at 7.51 pm when Twisha called Rashi Abrol and allegedly complained that Samarth was pressuring her to transfer a ₹20 lakh investment for investing in the Chinese stock market. Twisha had refused, saying the money belonged to her father.
The CBI said more than 34 attempted calls and exchanges took place between the two families that night as Twisha’s mother tried to contact Samarth and Giribala and intervene.
At around 9.20 pm, Twisha reportedly called Abrol again while crying. She allegedly said she had asked Samarth to sleep in a separate bedroom because of her back pain, following which he became “very aggressive and violent”. The call ended abruptly.
When Abrol called back at 9.29 pm, Twisha was reportedly sobbing before the call was disconnected again.
Seven minutes later, at 9.36 pm, Twisha sent what the CBI has described as her final message to Abrol.
CCTV footage allegedly showed Twisha walking alone towards the terrace at around 9.40 pm. A minute later, at 9.41 pm, she made a final WhatsApp call to her father.
According to the chargesheet, Twisha’s father found her crying during the call. She allegedly complained that Samarth had become “very aggressive and violent” and urged her family to come to Bhopal immediately.
Her final outbound call was reportedly to her mother, Rekha Rani Sharma, at around 10.05 pm. Twisha again spoke about Samarth’s alleged aggression before the call was disconnected.
Rekha Rani subsequently made several calls to Twisha, but there was no response. She also tried contacting Samarth and Giribala, but they allegedly did not answer.
The CBI said Giribala eventually answered at around 10.10 pm. Rekha Rani reportedly told her that Twisha was crying heavily. CCTV footage allegedly showed Giribala leaving her room at 10.16 pm to check on Twisha.
After finding the ground floor empty, Giribala reportedly called Twisha’s phone at 10.18 pm. The call went unanswered.
Five minutes later, CCTV footage allegedly showed Samarth and his mother heading towards the terrace, where Twisha was found hanging using a gymnastics belt.
Samarth then took her to AIIMS Bhopal. According to the FIR, he told doctors that Twisha had hanged herself at home at around 10.20 pm. Doctors at AIIMS declared her brought dead, following which a medico-legal case was registered.
CBI Allegations Of Mental Cruelty
The CBI has alleged that Twisha faced repeated mental cruelty during her marriage to Samarth, whom she met through a dating website.
Twisha had worked in South Indian films and was pursuing an MBA. The couple married in December 2025.
According to the chargesheet, Samarth allegedly made derogatory remarks about Twisha’s character despite her having been open about her past relationships before their marriage.
The agency has also alleged that Giribala repeatedly encouraged her son to subject Twisha to mental cruelty and helped shield him when Twisha wanted to complain about his behaviour.
The CBI further alleged that Twisha faced harassment while caring for her father after he suffered a heart attack in March 2026. She was allegedly pressured to return to Bhopal.
Her pregnancy in April 2026 allegedly became another major source of conflict. The agency claims Twisha was uncertain about continuing the pregnancy because of the alleged abuse, while Samarth and Giribala allegedly pressured her to continue with it.
The CBI also alleged that Samarth questioned the child’s paternity after Twisha underwent an abortion, further adding to her distress.
Financial issues allegedly intensified the conflict. According to the agency, Samarth wanted Twisha to transfer around ₹20 lakh from her demat account so that it could be invested in the Chinese stock market. Twisha allegedly refused, saying the money belonged to her father.
The CBI has also alleged that Samarth mocked Twisha over her professional setbacks, including telling her that she had lost a job because she “did not even know how to speak English”.
What The Postmortem Found
Twisha was found hanging at her marital home on May 12.
A second autopsy was conducted on May 24 by a four-member team from AIIMS Delhi in Bhopal after Twisha’s family raised concerns about the first postmortem conducted at AIIMS Bhopal.
The postmortem and subsequent medical board examination concluded that Twisha died by suicide.
The chargesheet states that the cause of death was asphyxia resulting from ante-mortem hanging. The agency said the hanging was caused by the examined ligature material, described as a gymnastics belt with a ring.
The medical examination also found no other injuries of medico-legal significance indicating an assault or physical struggle before her death.
Investigation Still Open
The CBI is still awaiting complete forensic extraction from Twisha’s and Samarth’s phones. Investigators are also awaiting DVR footage from CCTV cameras at Giribala’s residence in Bhopal, which could provide further information about the events of May 12.
Twisha’s family had earlier accused Samarth and Giribala of mental abuse, physical violence and dowry-related harassment. They also alleged that her in-laws were unhappy with the dowry given at the time of the December 9, 2025 wedding.
Twisha’s brother, Ashish Sharma, said the CBI chargesheet provides details about the alleged cruelty and the roles of the accused.
“All of that made it clear that she was left with no option,” Ashish told reporters.
The CBI has completed its investigation within the stipulated 90-day period but has sought the court’s permission to investigate two or three additional aspects of the case.
(with PTI inputs)
