Death of Daughter-in-Law After Dowry Dispute: Retired Judge and Her Son Detained in India
In India, retired judge Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh were detained in connection with the death of 33-year-old model and actress Twisha Sharma. Relatives of the deceased claim that the woman was subjected to harassment and abuse due to demands to transfer more money and valuables to the husband's family after the marriage.
The high-profile case of the death of 33-year-old model and actress Twisha Sharma has once again drawn attention to the dowry problem in India—a tradition where the bride's family gives money, property, or valuable gifts to the groom's family.
The woman was found dead on May 12 in her husband's house in Bhopal city, Madhya Pradesh state. At that time, less than six months had passed since the wedding.
What the retired judge and her son are accused of
Twisha Sharma's family accuses her husband Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh, a retired judge, of demanding additional dowry and, when their demands were not met, of abusing the woman. According to the deceased's relatives, this led to her death. The Singh family denies all accusations.
The case is being investigated by India's Central Bureau of Investigation. The court in Bhopal has remanded both suspects in custody until June 2.
Giribala Singh was detained after several hours of questioning. Earlier, the trial court had allowed her to be released on bail, but later the Madhya Pradesh High Court canceled this decision, noting that important evidence and testimonies were not properly considered during the hearing.
Her son Samarth Singh, who works as a lawyer, was detained the next day in another city of the state. The court also remanded him in custody until June 2.
Re-autopsy and new circumstances of the case
The investigation gained new momentum after the deceased's family insisted on a repeated forensic examination. The first autopsy showed that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to hanging.
The woman's father told local media that his daughter was under constant pressure due to demands for money and property. Additionally, the parents claim that the husband's relatives forced her to terminate a pregnancy.
In contrast, the Singh family states that Twisha Sharma had mental health issues and took her own life voluntarily.
Why the case caused a public outcry in India
The case sparked widespread public resonance in India and once again raised the issue of so-called "dowry deaths." Despite the fact that dowry demands have been banned in the country since 1961, the practice remains widespread, Independent notes.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau of India, in 2024 there were 5,737 deaths related to conflicts over dowry or demands for its increase. This is why the case of Twisha Sharma attracted the attention not only of law enforcement but also of the entire Indian society, becoming another reason for discussion about a problem that remains relevant despite many years of legislative prohibition.
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